Studies on the oxygenolysis of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone by CuXL (X = Cl or Br; L = pyridine, 2,2′-bipyridine, and 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes

Abstract

The oxygenolysis of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone by CuXL [X = Cl or Br; L = pyridine (py), 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)] to well defined mixed-ligand diphenatocomplexes [Cu₂X₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)L_n](n= 4, L = py; n= 2, L = bipy or phen) is reported. In the reaction of the quinone with preformed copper–dioxygen complexes under argon half of the copper was converted into the diphenatocopper complexes and the other half was isolated as CuXL or CuXL₃ complexes. Possible modes for the oxygenolysis are discussed.