A series of copper complexes supported by a simple dipyridylamide ligand (H2pcp) were isolated and characterized. Treatment of H2pcp with NaH and copper(I) salts led to the formation of [Cu(2pcp)] (1a) and {Na[(Cu(2pcp))]PF} (1b). The X-ray crystal structures of both complexes feature CuCu cores with close Cu···Cu interactions. Electrochemical studies of 1a showed a reversible one-electron oxidation wave in CHCl. On the basis of the work on 1a, we began studying the mixed-valence copper species supported by this ligand. The reaction of H2pcp with Cu(OAc) and CuCl in different stoichiometries yielded [Cu(2pcp)Cl] (2) and [Cu(2pcp)Cl] (3). X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic characterization suggested delocalized CuCu core structures of both compounds. These results further inspired us to explore the coordination properties of H2pcp toward Cu ions. The complexes [HNEt][Cu(2pcp)(ClO)](ClO) (4a), [Cu(2pcp)(NO)] (4b), and [Cu(2pcp)(HO)]BF (4c) featuring dinuclear CuCu cores were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Structural analysis of these complexes implied that the accommodation of CuCu, CuCu, and CuCu is attributed to the structural flexibility of the ligand H2pcp. Complexes 1a, 2, 3, and 4a were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which confirmed the oxidation state assignments. Computational studies were also performed to provide insight into the electronic structures of these complexes.

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