Microscale Syntheses, Reactions, and 1H NMR Spectroscopic Investigations of Square Planar Macrocyclic Tetraamido-N Cu(III) Complexes Relevant to Green Chemistry.

We describe a two- to three-week experiment for junior and senior chemistry majors that involves the microscale preparation, characterization, and reactivity of a square planar macrocyclic tetraamide Co(III) complex relevant to green chemistry. The characterization process includes significant use of 1H NMR spectroscopy, along with the optional use of FT–IR and UV–vis spectroscopies. These labs and accompanying lab lectures and discussions create a problem-based learning environment that involves Bronsted acid–base chemistry, steric arguments, redox processes, Le Châtelier's principle, nonaqueous chemistry, solubility product constants, periodic trends, organic reactivity, and spectroscopy.