Metal complexes of 4′-(3-phenylpropoxy)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and 4′-(3-propoxy)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine

Abstract

Reaction of 4′-chloro-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine with 3-phenyl- n-propanol or n-propanol in the presence of excess KOH in dmso, respectively, yields 4′-(3-phenylpropoxy)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (L 2) and 4′-(3-propoxy)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (L 3). The following complexes of these two ligands have been prepared: [{Cu(μ-Cl)L} 2](BF 4) 2, [Cu(NCMe)(L)](BF 4) 2, [PdCl(L)]BF 4 and [PtCl(L)]BF 4 (L=L 2, L 3). Recrystallisation of [Cu(NCMe)(L 2)](BF 4) 2 from PhCN/Et 2O yields [Cu(NCPh)(L 2)](BF 4) 2, whose crystal structure shows a square planar Cu(II) ion with substantial disorder in the PhCN ligand and 3-phenylpropoxy tail. The single crystal structure of [PdCl(L 2)]BF 4·2CH 3NO 2 contains a square planar Pd(II) centre. Neither of these structures, nor the solution spectroscopic or electrochemical data from the complexes, provide any evidence for intramolecular π–π interactions between the terpyridine ring and phenylpropoxy substituent. (Non-SI unit employed: 1 G=10 −4 T.)