Intramolecular versus intermolecular exchange pathways in the binuclear complex [Cu2(H2tea)2(4,4′-bipy)](ClO4)2·3H2O (H3tea=triethanolamine and 4,4′-bipy=4,4′-bipyridine)

Abstract The binuclear copper(II) complex of formula [Cu2(H2tea)2(4,4′-bipy)](ClO4)2·3H2O (1) (H3tea=triethanolamine and 4,4′-bipy=4,4′-bipyridine) has been isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Its structure consists of dinuclear [Cu2(H2tea)2(4,4′-bipy)]2+ cations, uncoordinated perchlorate anions and crystallization water molecules. Each copper atom exhibits a trigonal-bipyramidal environment with the three triethanolamine-oxygen atoms building the equatorial plane, and the triethanolamine-nitrogen and one of the 4,4′-bipy nitrogen atoms defining the three-fold axis. The 4,4′-bipy molecule acts as a bismonodentate bridging ligand, the copper–copper separation across it being 11…