Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes supported by a bulky tetradentate N 4 ligand, [Cu I (TIPT 3 tren)(CH 3 CN)]ClO 4 (1) and [Cu II (TIPT 3 tren)Cl]BF 4 (2), were synthesized and characterized, where TIPT is 2,2′′,6,6′′-tetraisopropyl-1,3′:5′,1′′-terphenyl and tren is tris(2-aminoethyl)amine. The copper(II) chloride complex 2 exhibits a trigonal-bipyramidal structure, as usually observed for the tren ligand system, in which the chloride ligand occupies an axial position and is encapsulated in an isolated cavity consisting of three TIPT substituents. Such a trigonal-bipyramidal structure is stabilized in acetone, in which [a]