Cu(I) and Cu(II) helical complexes formed with oligobipyridine ligand

A new asymmetric oligobipyridine ligand, 1- (5’-methyl-2, 2’-bipyridin-5-y1)-2- (6’-methyl-2, 2’-bipyridin-6-yl)ethane (L), in which the bipyridine units are bridged by CH2CH2 at 5,6’-position has been synthesized. The ligand L reacts with Cu(I) and Cu(I1) ions giving double-stranded helical complexes [Cu 2 1 L2](C104)2.Et20 (1) and [Cu 2 II L2,(OH)(H20) ] [ClO4]3(2), respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses, ES-MS, ESR and cyclic voltammetry, etc. Differing from the oligobipyridine ligands bridged by CH2CH2 at 6,6’-or 5,5’-position, the ligand L not only forms a double-stranded helicate with Cu(1) ion, but also gives a double-stranded helicate with Cu(I1) ion. The results show that the linkage mode of the spacer group to the bipyridine units exerts a great impact on the formation of helix.