An unusual [4+4+4] bishelical complex, Cu-3(H2L)(L)center dot 2H(2)O [H4L ' = N,N '-bis(3-hydroxysalicylidene)-1,4-diaminobutane]: synthesis and crystal structure

An electrochemical cell [Cu(+)\MeCN + H4L\Pt(-)] (H4L = title ligand), yiel ded powdery [Cu-2(L)(H2O)](n) and crystalline Cu-3(H2L)(L). 2H(2)O; the cry stal structure of the latter shows an unusual helicate with an isosceles tr iangle core assembled by two mu-phenoxo bridges [Cu ... Cu 3.413(3) and 3.8 58(3) Angstrom], in which tetracoordinated Cu ions are in tetrahedrally dis torted square planar environments.