Synthesis and characterization of novel dinuclear copper(I) complexes. Dimerization of [CuL(PPh3)2] (L = methyl 3-hydroxy-3-(p-R-phenyl)-2-propenedithioate).

We report the synthesis of new copper(I) complexes 6a-e from methyl 3-hydroxy-3-(p-R-phenyl)-2-propenedithioate ligands. These complexes were characterized by IR and 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The expected O,S-coordination mode was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction studies of 6b and 6e. The unexpected dimerization of 6b-e leads to the formation of four novel dinuclear copper(I) compounds (7b-e). The dinuclear complex structure was fully established by the X-ray diffraction analysis of 7a, in which the presence of a Cu-Cu interaction was observed.