Oxidation and catalytic properties of a binuclear copper(I) complex with a meta-xylyl spacer ligand

Abstract

The oxidation product of the binuclear copper (I) complex Cu2L(CIO4)2 (L = N,N′-bis-(6-methyl-2-pyridil) (2′-pyridyl)methyl m-xylylidene imine) has been isolated and structurally characterised. In the cupric species, [Cu2L(Me-O)2](CIO4)2, the metal centres are bridged by two methoxide groups, and the oxygenation of the xylyl spacer of the hexadentate ligand is not observed. The copper(I) complex was found to be a catalyst for the oxidation of 3,5-ditertbutylcatechol to 3,5-ditertbutyl-o-benzoquinone by molecular oxygen.