Non-innocent redox behavior of Cu II - p -dimethylaminophenolate complexes: formation and characterization of the Cu I -phenoxyl radical species.

Cu complexes with p -dimethylaminophenolate ligands were synthesized by the reaction of Cu II ions with the ligands under inert gas atmosphere and characterized. The complexes showed a valence state change from Cu II -phenolate to Cu I -phenoxyl radical on loss of the coordinated solvent. The Cu I -phenoxyl radical species showed the characteristic properties and reactivities.