A dinuclear copper(II) macrocyclic pyrazole compound catalyses the oxidative polymerisation of 2,6-dimethylphenol

The single crystal X-ray structure of the compound [Cu-2(EtPy24Pz)(NO3)(2)] (NO3)(2)(H2O)(7), with EtPy24Pz is 10,24-di(pyridin-2-ylethyl)-1,5,10,15,19 ,24,29,30,31,32-decaaza-6,14,20,28-tetramethyl)-pentacyclo-[24.2.1.1(5,8).1 (12,15),1(19,22)]dotriaconta-6,8(30),12(31), 13,20,22(32),26(29),27-octaene , shows the copper(II) ions in a square pyramidal N4O environment, crystall ographically related by a twofold axis, at a distance of 7.24 Angstrom. EPR data provide evidence that the two copper (II) ions, enclosed in the macro cyclic ligand, can be brought closer together by bridging anions. A similar cooperation with the binding of dehydronated 2,6-dimethylphenol is conside red to take place to incite the two-electron transfer which leads to the pr oduction of polyphenylene ether through the intermediate formation of a phe noxonium cation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.