Synthesis and Characterization of bis[(2-ethyl-5-methyl-imidazo-4-yl)‎methyl]Sulfide and Its Coordination Behavior toward Cu(II)‎ as a Possible Approach of a Copper Site Type I

Abstract EN

The synthesis and characterization of a novel ligand, bis[(2-ethyl-5-methyl-imidazo-4-yl)methyl]sulfide (bemims), as well as a bemims-containing copper(II) coordination complex are described.

In this complex, [Cu(bemims)X2] with X=NO3-, bemims acts as a tridentate ligand and two monodentate nitrate ions complete the coordination sphere.

Both imidazole N atoms and the thioether S atom of bemims participate in coordination.

The Cu(II) ion is five-coordinated with a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry (τ=.09).

Electrochemical studies and spectroscopic data for this complex are compared with some blue copper proteins in order to assess its ability to mimic the copper center of type I copper proteins.