Copper Coordination Polymers of N1,N4‐Bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)terephthalamide: Synthesis, Structures, DNA Binding and Cleavage, and Catalytic Activity for Oxidation of 1‐Phenylethanol

Abstract

Two Cu coordination polymers [Cu(bpmt)Cl2·2DMF]n (1), [Cu(bpmt)(μ‐Cl)·DMSO]n (2) [bpmt = N1,N4‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)terephthalamide)], were synthesized and characterized. X‐ray single‐crystal diffractions revealed complex 1 exhibits a one‐dimensional (1D) chain in which central CuII ions are located in a six‐coordinate slightly distorted octahedral structure. Complex 2 features 1D chain composed of CuI–Cl bridges and all the central CuI ions are situated a twisted tetrahedral configurations. Multi‐spectroscopic DNA interaction studies indicate that the two complexes may bind to DNA via groove binding modes, and the calculated binding constants are 1.42 × 104 (1‐CT‐DNA) and 1.41 × 104 (2‐CT‐DNA). Both complexes are also capable of efficiently cleaving plasmid pBR322 DNA in the presence of H2O2 via an oxidative mechanism. Furthermore, 1 and 2 are employed as catalysts for the oxidation of 1‐phenylethanol to acetophenone. Complex 1 displays good catalytic potential with the conversion rate reaches 99 % using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant and CH3CN as solvent at 60 °C for 2.0 h.