Copper complexes polarography

ABSTRACT. After a brief survey of the different types of natural copper proteins, and their metal-centred main functions, the characteristics of "good" synthetic models are outlined. Electrochemical studies, by cyclic voltammetry and/or differential pulse polarography, of some representative models are overviewed. Recent, unpublished, results on several copper complexes intended to mimick the Type I copper sites are described and briefly discussed. 

Brugmann [784] discussed different approaches to trace metal speciation (bioassays, computer modelling, analytical methods). The electrochemical techniques include conventional polarography, ASV, and potentiometry. ASV diagnosis of seawater was useful for investigating the properties of metal complexes in seawater. Differences in the lead and copper values yielded for Baltic seawater by methods based on differential pulse ASV or AAS are discussed with respect to speciation. 

As mentioned before, a worthwhile model must possess a good accessibility of both the Cu(I) and Cu(II) oxidation states, and retain in solution not only the bimetallic unit but also any bridging group. To detect whether a proposed model of a Type III copper centre satisfies these requirements many studies on the cyclic voltammetry and/or the differential pulse polarography have been carried out and reported [157-210]. In some cases authors started with a di-copper(II) complex, in some other with a di-copper(I) complex and even eventually with a mixed-valence Cu(II)-Cu(I) dinuclear complex. 

Meites L (1950) Polarographie studies of metal complexes. II. The copper(II) citrates. JAm Chem Soc 72 180-184... 

---