Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
Structures of the Copper(I) and Copper(II) Complexes of 2,9-Diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline: Implications for
Mark T. Miller1, Peter K. Gantzel, Timothy B. Karpishin
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0358.
Abstract:
The syntheses, crystal structures, and electronic absorption spectra of the copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dpp) are reported. The complex [Cu(dpp)(2)](PF(6)) (1) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/c with a = 11.081(4) Å, b = 25.491(8) Å, c = 14.263(5) Å, beta = 92.84(3) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 4024(2) Å(3). For 4813 unique data with F > 4.0sigma(F), R = 5.41% and R(w) = 6.43%. The coordination geometry about the copper(I) center in [Cu(dpp)(2)](+) is best described as distorted tetrahedral with approximate C(2) symmetry. The structure of [Cu(dpp)(2)](+) is largely determined by interligand pi-stacking interactions that occur between the phenyl groups of one ligand and the phenanthroline moiety of the other ligand. Solution-state absorption and (1)H NMR spectra indicate that the [Cu(dpp)(2)](+) complex is fluxional in solution, rocking between two enantiomeric structures of C(2) molecular symmetry through an intermediate of C(s)() symmetry. The complex [Cu(dpp)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (2) crystallizes in space group P&onemacr; with a = 7.809(3) Å, b = 13.027(6) Å, c = 20.344(10) Å, alpha = 87.68(4) degrees, beta = 89.16(4) degrees, gamma = 79.26(4) degrees, Z = 2, and V = 2032(1) Å(3). For 4943 unique data with F > 4.0sigma(F), R = 5.22% and R(w) = 5.37%. The coordination geometry about the copper(II) center in [Cu(dpp)(2)](2+) is best described as flattened tetrahedral with approximate D(2) symmetry. There are no interligand pi-stacking interactions in the structure of [Cu(dpp)(2)](2+). The four-coordinate geometry in [Cu(dpp)(2)](2+) persists in solution on the basis of solution-state and solid-state absorption spectroscopy. Structural distortion in the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited state of [Cu(dpp)(2)](+) is discussed on the basis of the structures of 1 and 2.
More Related Videos
11:04Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides
Published on: September 7, 2019
09:12[(DPEPhos)(bcp)Cu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst
Published on: May 21, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Coordination Number and Geometry
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Valence Bond Theory
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group with both...