Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Dialkoxo-Bridged Dinuclear Cu(II) Complex with 5-Methoxy-6'-hydroxy-2,2'-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol

Abstract

An unexpected dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(L²)₂] (H₂L² = 4-methoxysalicylaldehyde-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)oxime), has been synthesized through the complexation of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O with an asymmetrical salamo-type compound 5-methoxy-6'-hydroxy-2,2'-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H₃L¹). The catalysis of Cu(II) ions results in the unexpected cleavage of one of the N-O bonds in the ligand H₃L¹, giving a novel dialkoxo-bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complex possessing a Cu-O-Cu-O four membered ring core instead of the usually desired salamo-type ligand Cu-N₂O₂ mononuclear complex.