Capturing copper(II) ions using {Cu(tpy)(bpy)} domains

The reaction of 6,6"ʹ-dimethyl-2,2ʹ:6ʹ,2":6",2ʹ"-quaterpyridine (2) with 2,2ʹ:6ʹ,2"-terpyridine (tpy) and Cu(NO3)·3H2O leads to the formation of [Cu(tpy)(2)]2+ and [Cu2(tpy)2(2)]4+, isolated as the hexafluoridophosphate salts. Single crystal structures of [Cu2(tpy)2(2)][PF6]4·2H2O and [Cu(tpy)(2)][PF6]2·MeCN are presented and illustrate the special stability of the 5-coordinate {Cu(tpy)(bpy)}2+ motif in mono- and dinuclear environments.