Oxidative <i>ortho</i> CC Coupling of 4‐Ethylphenol by Dual Substrate Activation at a Bioinspired Dicopper Complex—Trapping of an Unusual Oligophenolic Cu₆ Species

Abstract

Bioinspired dual activation: Dual activation within the bimetallic pocket of a bioinspired dicopper(II) complex suitably places two phenolato substrates for preferred ortho-ortho coupling. Spectroscopic data and the molecular structure of a unique Cu(6) complex isolated from the reaction mixture reveal a novel terphenolato ligand and provide a clue about the activation mechanism (see picture).