Copper(II) as a Platform for Probing the Steric Demand of Bulky β-Diketonates.

The synthesis and characterization of a series of copper bis(β-diketonate) complexes, functionalized with sterically hindered -biphenyl and -terphenyl functional groups, are reported. X-ray structural analysis reveals that the ligands exhibit several modes of flexibility in order to accommodate the steric demand. Increased steric bulk of the ligands influences the Cu electrochemical reduction, which is likely due to inhibited ligand rotation.