Following the structural characterization and analysis of Blue Copper Proteins (BCP's), macrocyclic ligands have attracted much interest as simple models for naturally occurring metal-macrocycle centers. Presented in this dissertation are the syntheses and characterization of small, simple organic analogs of BCP's.
Chapter I of this work gives a brief literature review of Blue Copper Proteins, including their unique spectral characteristics. The synthesis and characterization of several linear and cyclic molecular analogs will be discussed including polythiaethers, polyazacycloalkanes, thia-aza and trithiaethers. The macrocyclic effect will be explained and why cyclic molecular analogs are of current interest.
Presented in the second chapter are the syntheses of two 14-membered rings with a 2,3,2,3 altering carbon chain arrangement for 1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane and 1,11-dithia-4,8-diazacyclotetradecane. The 1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane is complexed to both Cu2+ and Cu+ and fully characterized using UV-Vis, EPR and CV. The 1,11-dithia-4,8-diazacyclotetradecane was synthesized for structural X-ray comparison of the Cu2+ metal ion.
The 1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane having two nitrogen atoms also makes it attractive for functionalization. Presented in the third chapter of this dissertation is the expansion of these ligands for use as cryptands. The syntheses of two cryptands are fully described and include crystallographic data. One of the cryptand ligands, 1,8-dithia-4,11,18,21-tetraazatricyclo[10.6.6]pentacosane-25-one was successfully complexed to Cu2+ and those results are also discussed. To further conclude this research is a pendant arm derivative and its synthesis. Each nitrogen atom of 1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane is functionalized with a four carbon chain connecting to 1,4-diaza-7-thiacyclononane.