A NEW CLASS OF DERIVATISABLE TRIPODAL LIGAND - X-RAY CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF [CU(SO4)(TPM)(H2O)] (TPM = 1,1,1-TRIS(2-PYRIDYL)METHYLAMINE)

1,1-Bis(2-pyridyl) methylamine, 1,1,1-tris(2-pyridyl)methylamine (tpm) , 2-methylsulfanyl-1,1-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylamine and related compounds have been prepared by metallation of 2-aminomethylpylidine. Tpm coordi nates readily to both copper(I) and copper(II); the X-ray crystal stru cture of the copper(II) sulfate complex [Cu(SO4)(tpm)(H2O)] shows the tpm ligand coordinated to the metal via the three pyridine nitrogens i n a tripodal fashion, leaving the primary amine function free for deri vatisation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.