The current investigation examines the reactivity of imine ligand while bound to a copper(II) metal center. The ligands were synthesized by reacting two equivalents of a substituted pyridine aldehyde (R = -H, -Me, -OMe) with ethylenediamine, and characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopies. Coordination reactions were carried out in a 1:1 mole ratio of Cu(NO3)2 x 2.5 H2O and each ligand (-H, -Me or -OMe) in methanol. The -Me analogue (PyMe2(en)) resulted in the formation of a complex that contains a ligand frame in which half has reacted to form bound amine (PyMe(enH2)). Conversely, the -OMe (PyOMe2(en)) analogue resulted in formation of three different products; a dimeric species with one full ligand bridging between two Cu(II) metal centers with the coordination sphere being completed by a half hydrolyzed ligand (PyOMe(enH2)) , a complex containing a partially hydrolyzed ligand and lastly, a complex with one ligand in which both imine groups reacted with the solvent, methanol. Further investigation is underway to determine the origin of the reactivity within this set, including the effects of solvent and starting metal salts. Additionally, biological studies are underway to determine the ability of the metal complex to bind to and cleave DNA and act as antimicrobials.

Influence of ligand backbone and solvent on product distribution of Cu(II) salts with imine based ligands

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.