Synthesis and solution studies of Cu(II) complexes with pyridine derivatives of iminobisphosphonic acids

New 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl and 4-pyridyl derivatives of iminobisphosphonic acid were prepared by addition of tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite to the corresponding derivatives of pyridineimine-methylphosphonates 3 and subsequent methanolysis of the silylated products 4. Solution studies on the coordination abilities of the ligands have shown that these compounds bind copper(II) ion through the tridentate {N,O,O} mode, where Cu(II) is stabilized by two five-membered chelate rings. The complexes obtained are very stable, with the pCu(II) value above 12, and therefore the ligands can be used as powerful chelating agents for copper ion.