Syntheses, structures and properties of copper(I) and copper(II) complexesof the ligand N,N '-bis[2 '-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N,N '-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (Me(6)trien)

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of the ligand N,N'-bis[2'-(dimethylamino )ethyl]-N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (Me(6)trien) were synthesized and s tructurally characterized. In the solid state the complex cation [Cu(Me(6)t rien)](+) (1) adopts a distorted tetrahedral configuration, Crystallography , EPR measurements, and UV/Vis spectroscopy indicate that the analogous cop per(II) complex [Cu(Me(6)trien)Cl](+) has a square pyramidal geometry in th e solid state as well as in solution. The reaction of 1 with dioxygen was i nvestigated in different solvents. No copper dioxygen intermediates could b e detected spectrophotometrically during these reactions.