O–O bond cleavage via electrochemical reduction of a side-on peroxo dicopper model of hemocyanin

The redox properties of the μ-η2:η2 peroxo complex [Cu2(H6M4h)(O2)]2+ were elucidated. This study constitutes the first full electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical characterization of a side-on peroxo Cu2:O2 bioinorganic model complex. The peroxo complex is irreversibly reduced in a two-electron process localized on the peroxo ligand triggering the cleavage of the O–O bond.