Electrochemical Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Novel Mixed-valence Copper (I)-copper (II) Complex: {[Bis(ethylenediamine) Copper (II)] Bis[diiodocuprate (I)]}

A novel, mixed-valent copper(I)-copper(II) complex, {[bis(ethylene-diamine)copper(II)] bis[diiodocuprate(I)]} (1), has been prepared by electrochemicaldissolution of a sacrificial copper anode in a solution of ethylenediamine (en), I2 andtetraethylammoniumperchlorate (TEAP) as supporting electrolyte in acetonitrile (AcN)and characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. The crystal structure ofthe complex 1 shows that it consists of a CuI2 polymer formed from I- ligands bridgingCu(I) ions, with a nearly square planar geometry of bivalente Cu(II) atoms chelated by twoethylenediamine ligands. The results also show that direct electrosynthesis of the complexhad high current efficiency, purity and electrolysis yield.