Electrochemically driven reversible solid state metal exchange processes in polynuclear copper complexes

The electrochemical characteristics of polynuclear di-copper and tetra-copper complexes of an expanded "Robson-type" macrocyclic ligand are explored by solid state voltammetry in aqueous media. When adhered to a graphite electrode surface in the form of microcrystalline powders and immersed in aqueous buffer solution, these water-insoluble polynuclear copper complexes show well-defined voltammetric reduction and re-oxidation responses. The di-copper metal complexes [Cu₂(H₃L)(OH)][BF₄]₂ and the tetra-copper complexes [Cu₄(L)(OH)][NO₃]₃ with an O₄N₄ octadentate macrocyclic ligand L are shown to exhibit inter-related and proton concentration sensitive solid state voltammetric characteristics. At sufficiently negative potential, copper is extracted from the complexes to form a solid copper deposit and the neutral form of the insoluble free ligand. Upon re-oxidation of the copper deposit, Cu²⁺ undergoes facile re-insertion into the ligand sphere to re-form solid di- and tetra-copper complexes at the electrode surface. The reduction process occurs in two stages, with two Cu²⁺ cations being extracted in each step. The ability of the macrocyclic ligand to efficiently release and accumulate copper is demonstrated.