Formation of {Cu$\rm{ {_{2}^{III}}}$(μ‐O)2}2+ Core Due to Dioxygen Reactivity of a Copper(I) Complex Supported by a New Hybrid Tridentate Ligand: Reaction with Exogenous Substrates

Reaction of a CuI complex of a hybrid tridentate ligand, encompassing [2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]amine and dimethyl-substituted ethylalkylamine with dioxygen, generates in acetone at −80° putative bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) intermediate. Structural characterization of a PPh3-adduct of a mononuclear CuI complex of this new ligand has been achieved. This ligand coordinates in a facial mode utilizing three N-atoms (CH2CH2Py, CH2CH2NMe2, and NCH2Ph). Reactivity of bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) intermediate toward exogenous substrates (2,4-di(tert-butyl)phenol and 2,4,6-tri(tert-butyl)phenol) has also been investigated.