Redox behavior of copper(II)/(I) couples with quadridentate ligand: evidence of novel dual gated electron transfer reactions

The reduction reaction of Cu(II)L by decamethylferrocene, where L is quadridentate 1,2-bis(9-methyl-1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)ethane, was examined in acetonitrile. We observed parallel gated electron transfer pathways: (1) regulated by the unimolecular deformation within Cu(II)L, and (2) regulated by the bimolecular dimerization to form Cu(II)2L2, prior to the electron transfer process with decamethylferrocene.