Identification and characterization of monoanionic tripodal tetradentate ligand complexes of copper(I) and copper(II) involved in halogen atom transfer reactions.

The copper(I) complex of bis-(2-(2-pyridyl)-ethyl)-(2-(N-p-toluenesulfonamido)-ethyl)amine (PETAEA), a monoanionic, tripodal tetradentate ligand, was prepared, characterized, and shown to be an effective catalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A model atom transfer reaction of Cu(PETAEA) with 1-phenylethyl bromide and TEMPO radical trapping agent was studied. The copper(II) complex formed in this reaction was identified by comparison of its spectroscopic data with that of Cu(PETAEA)Br prepared by an independent synthesis. Kinetic and spectroscopic data indicated that the reaction mechanism involved simple atom transfer from the alkyl halide to the Cu(PETAEA) to form the Cu(PETAEA)Br, and no other intermediates were involved. The solid-state structures of the copper(I) and (II) complexes appeared to be maintained in solution, so this system is an atom transfer reaction in which all of the reactive species are identified and characterized.