Preparation and crystal structures of neutral and cationic copper(I) mixed ligand complexes with triphenylphosphane and derivatives of biimidazole

Eight triphenylphosphanecopper(I) complexes with bibenzimidazole, tetramethylbiimidazole or tetrahydrobiimidazole were prepared and characterized so far as possible by elemental analysis, IR, H-1-NMR and P-31-NMR spectra. The crystal structures of two complexes with bibenzimidazole were determined. [Cu(bbimH(2))(PPh3)(2)]Cl . CH2Cl2: Reaction of CuCl with bibenzimidazole in fused triphenylphosphane or [CuCl(PPh3)(3)] with bibenzimidazole in CH2Cl2. Space group P (1) over bar, Z = 2, 6440 observed independent reflections, R = 0.064 for refletions with I > 2 sigma(I). Lattice parameters at 203 K: a = 983.6; b = 1348.9; c = 1805.5 pm; alpha = 77.24; beta = 80.90; gamma = 85.81 degrees. The crystal structure is built up by monomeric molecules with distorted tetrahedral coordination of the copper atom (CuN2P2) and bibenzimidazole as bidentate ligand, The chloride ion is linked by H-bonds with the NH groups of the bibenzimidazole. [(Cu(PPh3)(2))(2)(mu-bbim)]. 2 CH2Cl2: Reaction of [CuCl(PPh3)(3)] with the dipotassium salt of bibenzimidazole in CH3OH/CH2Cl2. Space group P (1) over bar, Z = 1, 7192 observed independent reflections, R = 0.057 for reflections with I > 2 sigma(I). Lattice parameters at 203 K: a = 1334.1; b = 1386.8; c = 1443.7 pm; alpha = 107.51; beta = 103.35; gamma = 113.74 degrees. The crystal structure is built up by centrosymmetric molecules with dis torted tetrahedral coordination of the copper atoms (CuN2P2) and bibenzimidazolate(2-) as tetradentate bridging ligand.