Hydrogen Atom Abstraction Thermodynamics of a μ-1,2-Superoxo Dicopper(II) Complex

Pyrazolate-based μ-1,2-peroxo dicopper(II) complex 1 undergoes clean 1e^- oxidation at low potential (-0.59 V vs Fc/Fc⁺) to yield the rather stable μ-1,2-superoxo dicopper(II) complex 3, which was characterized by spectroscopic methods (ν̃(O-O) = 1070 cm^-1, Δ(¹⁸O-¹⁶O) = -59 cm^-1) and analyzed by DFT calculations. 3 is also formed via H-atom abstraction from the corresponding μ-1,1-hydroperoxo dicopper(II) complex 2, while 3 itself is able to abstract H-atoms from weaker X-H bonds such as TEMPO-H to re-form 2. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses evidence a concerted proton-electron transfer pathway for these processes. The thermodynamic square scheme reveals a bond dissociation free energy of 71.7 ± 1.1 kcal mol^-1 for the hydroperoxo OO-H bond of 2.