The reactions of pyrazole (Hpz) with some copper(II) carboxylates in the presence of water yield trinuclear copper derivatives characterized by the triangular core [Cu3mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(RCOO)2] (R = H, C2H5, C3H7). Copper(II) formate gives [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(HCOO)2(Hpz)2] (1), whereas copper propionate and butyrate afford [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(C2H5COO)2(EtOH)] (2) and [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(C3H7COO)2(MeOH)(H2O)] (3), respectively, both containing solvent molecules coordinated to copper atoms. Magnetic susceptibilities are consistent with a single unpaired electron for each trinuclear unit of 1-3, and EPR measurements indicate that higher spin states, generated by exchange coupling between copper atoms, may be populated at room temperature. Density-functional calculations provide the description of the electronic structures of 1-3, allowing, at the same time, the assignment of their UV-vis absorption spectra. X-ray molecular structure determinations show that triangular trinuclear units of 1 are connected to each other through single formate bridges, forming one-dimensional (1D) zigzag coordination polymers, whereas in 2 and 3, two oxygen atoms of two carboxylate ions doubly bridge two copper atoms of different triangles, thus generating hexanuclear units. Moreover, in 2, two other propionate ions link together two hexanuclear units yielding a 12-membered cycle and giving rise to 1D coordination polymers. The supramolecular assemblies of 1-3 are compared to that of the previously reported trinuclear triangular copper(II) derivative [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH3COO)2(Hpz)] (A), where a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer is present. The reactions of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hpz) with copper(II) carboxylates in the same conditions yield 1:2 Cu(RCOO)2/Hpz adducts.

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The almost quantitative formation of the triangular trinuclear copper derivative [Cu3(3-OH)(-pz)3(MeCOO)2(Hpz)] (1) (Hpz = pyrazole), has been simply achieved by adding Hpz to an ethanol solution of Cu(MeCOO)2 x H2O. An X-ray molecular structure determination shows that 1 is completely unsymmetric and that trinuclear units result assembled in an extended bidimensional network formed through acetate bridges and hydrogen bonds. EPR and magnetic measurements are consistent with the presence of a single unpaired electron. Theoretical density functional calculations carried out for S = 1/2 provide a thorough description of the electronic structure of 1, allowing a detailed assignment of its UV-vis absorption spectrum. Compound 1 reacts with MeONa, yielding [Cu3(micro3-OH)(micro-pz)3(MeCOO)(MeO)(Hpz)] (2) and [Cu3(micro3-OH)(micro-pz)3(MeO)2(Hpz)] (3) through the substitution of one and two acetate ions, respectively, with MeO- ion(s). The spontaneous self-assembly of the triangular trinuclear Cu3 moiety seems to occur only with pyrazole as can be inferred by the results obtained in the reactions of copper(II) acetate with some substituted pyrazoles leading to the formation of mononuclear [Cu(MeCOO)2(L)2] (4-8) and dinuclear [Cu(MeCOO)2(L)]2 (9-11) (L = substituted pyrazole) compounds. Also the presence of acetate ions seems to play a leading role in determining the formation of the trinuclear triangular arrangement, as indicated by the formation of a mononuclear derivative, [Cu(CF3COO)2(Hpz)]2 (compound 12), in the reaction of copper(II) trifluoroacetate with pyrazole. Compounds 1-3, as well as some other mono- and dinuclear copper(II)-substituted pyrazole complexes, have been tested as catalyst precursors in cyclopropanation reaction, observing the formation of products in a syn:anti ratio opposite that normally reported.