The synthesis, crystal structures and antimicrobial studies of C-methyl-substituted hexaaza macrocycle of Cu(II) having aromatic pendant arm

Cu(II) complexes of 14‐membered hexaaza macrocyclic ligand with C‐methyl substituent of the type [CuL](X)2 (where L = 3,10‐bisbenzyl‐6,13‐dimethyl‐1,3,5,8,10,12‐hexaazacyclotetradecane, and X = ClO4−, PF6−) were synthesized by tandem reaction. They were characterized by spectral and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The complexes show distorted octahedral geometry and the counter ions are weakly coordinated to the metal ion at the axial positions. The macrocyclic ring adopts the trans‐III configuration with six‐ and five‐membered chelate rings in chair and gauche conformation, respectively. It was observed that in the solid state the arrangement of the coordination sphere is distorted octahedral whereas, in solution, a square‐planar structure is predominant. The molar conductance of the complexes indicates that the axially bonded anions are almost dissociated in acetonitrile solution. The Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectrum of complex 1 is axial and consistent with a dx2 − y2 ground state. The [CuL](ClO4)2 was found to be active against the tested microorganism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Cu(II) complexes of 14‐membered hexaaza macrocyclic ligand with C‐methyl substituent of the type [CuL](X)2 have been synthesized by tandem reaction. It was observed that in the solid state the arrangement of the coordination sphere is distorted octahedral whereas in solution, a square‐planar structure is predominant. The molar conductance of the complexes indicates that the axially bonded anions are almost entirely dissociated in acetonitrile solution.