Copper linked macrocyclic systems

The binding of cyclic thioethers to metal centers has also led to the isolation of complexes in which the coordinative properties of the ligand do not lit the stereochemical preferences of the metal ion(s) (188), Thus, a series of macrocyclic thioether complexes incorporating unusual stereochemistries and/or oxidation states has been generated (188). This is linked to the biological activity of the blue copper proteins and model systems in which the coordination geometry about Cu(II) is strained [in an entatic state (.212,221)] such that the Cu(II)/(I) couple occurs at a particularly positive potential that is, the Cud) state is stabilized. The ability of cyclic thioethers to modify their coordination properties is inherent in this approach (76,108,111). 

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