Conformationally dynamic copper coordination complexes

The interplay between oxidation state and coordination geometry dictates both kinetic and thermodynamic properties underlying electron transfer events in copper coordination complexes. An ability to stabilize both Cu^I and Cu^II oxidation states in a single conformationally dynamic chelating ligand allows access to controlled redox reactivity. We report an analysis of the conformational dynamics of Cu^I complexes bearing dipicolylaniline (dpa^R) ligands, with ortho-aniline substituents R = H and R = OMe. Variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and electrochemical experiments suggest that in solution at room temperature, an equilibrium exists between two conformers. Two metal-centered redox events are observed which, bolstered by structural information from single crystal X-ray diffraction and solution information from EPR and NMR spectroscopies, are ascribed to the Cu^II/I couple in planar and tetrahedral conformations. Activation and equilibrium parameters for these structural interconversions are presented and provide entry to leveraging redox-triggered conformational dynamics at Cu.