X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopic And Theoretical Studies on (L)(2)[Cu-2(S-2)N](2+) Complexes: Disulfide Versus Disulfide(Center Dot 1-) Bonding

Cu K-, Cu L-, and S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) data have been combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations on [{l_brace}(TMPA)Cu{r_brace}{sub 2}S{sub 2}](ClO{sub 4}){sub 2} (1), [{l_brace}Cu[HB(3,5-Pr{sub 2}{sup i}pz){sub 3}]{r_brace}{sub 2}(S{sub 2})] (2), and [{l_brace}(TMEDA)Cu{r_brace}{sub 2}(S{sub 2}){sub 2}](OTf){sub 2} (3) to obtain a quantitative description of their ground state wavefunctions. The Cu L-edge intensities give 63 and 37% Cu d-character in the ground state of 1 and 2, respectively, whereas the S K-pre-edge intensities reflect 20 and 48% S character in their ground states, respetively. These data indicate a more than 2-fold increase in the total disulfide bonding character in 2 relative to 1. The increase in the number of Cu?S bonds in 2 ({mu}-{eta}{sup 2}:{eta}{sup 2} S{sub 2}{sup 2-} bridge) compared to 1 ({mu}-{eta}{sup 1}:{eta}{sup 1} S{sub 2}{sup 2-} bridge) dominantly determines the large increase in covalency and Cu-disulfide bond strength in 2. Cu K- and L- and S K-pre-edge energy positions directly demonstrate the Cu{sup II}/(S{sub 2}{sup -}){sub 2} nature of 3. The two disulfide({center_dot}1?)'s in 3 undergo strong bonding interactions that destabilize the resultant filled antibonding {pi}* orbitals of the (S{sub 2}{sup -}){sub 2} fragment relative to the Cu 3d levels. This leads to an inverted bonding scheme in 3 with dominantly ligand-based holes in its ground state, consistent with its description as a dicopper(II)-bis-disulfide({center_dot}1?) complex.