Cu(I) complexes based on cis, cis-1,3,5-tris(arylideneamino)cyclohexane ligands: synthesis, structure and CO binding.

A new series of sterically bulky, facially coordinating N(3)-donor tach-based ligands (tach; cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane) [2.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(2,4-dimethylbenzylideneamino)cyclohexane, 4.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(pentamethylbenzylideneamino)cyclohexane, 5.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(2,6-dimethoxybenzylideneamino)cyclohexane, 6.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(pentafluorobenzylideneamino)cyclohexane, 7.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(3,5-bis(ditrifluoromethyl)benzylideneamino)cyclohexane, 8.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(2-trifluoromethylbenzylideneamino)cyclohexane, 9.1; cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(2-methoxybenzylideneamino)cyclohexane] have been obtained from the condensation of tach with three equivalents of the appropriate substituted benzaldehyde. Reaction with [Cu(NCCH(3))(4)]PF(6) gives Cu(I) complexes of tach-based ligands {2.2-9.2, eg; 2.2; [Cu(2.1)(NCCH(3))]PF(6)}. Displacement of the acetonitrile ligand by CO was achieved successfully for all the Cu(I) complexes of tach-based ligands and the resulting complexes have been shown to bind carbon monoxide {2.3-9.3, eg; 2.3; [Cu(2.1)(CO)]PF(6)}. The X-ray single crystal structures of 5.1, 8.1, 9.1, 3.2, 7.2, 8.2, 9.2, 3.3, 5.3 and 6.3 have been determined.