UV/VIS Spectral Studies of Catecholase Activity of Binuclear Copper(II) Complexes [Cu₂REP(_μ‐X)(Y)₂]

Abstract

By means of ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy we have studied the catecholase activity of two binuclear copper(II) complexes of general formula [Cu2REP(u‐X)(Y)2] (1, X=OH and Y=ClO4; 2, X=Y=CI), REP =deprotonated 2, 6‐bis(1′‐(4′‐(2″‐pyridyl)‐2′‐thiabutyl))‐4‐methylphenol. Both complexes promote catalytic autoxidation of 3, 5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (3, 5‐DTBC) to 3, 5‐di‐tert‐butylquinone (3, 5‐DTBQ) in methanol, but not in acetonitrile.