Structural and functional models for the dinuclear copper active site in catechol oxidases: syntheses, X-ray crystal structures, magnetic and spectral properties, and X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies in solid state and in solution

Dinuclear copper complexes containing tridentate dinucleating ligands are prepared and considered as structural and functional models for catechol oxidases. In these complexes, the Cu(II) centers undergo antiferromagnetic coupling. The crystal structure of the complexes remain unchanged in the methanolic solution. The copper complex of 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-3-pentanol exhibits catecholase activity by oxidizing 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to quinone.