Synthesis and Characterization of a Model Multi-Copper Oxidase

Multi-copper oxidases possess an unusual triangular copper complex; ceruloplasmin is an example. Ceruloplasmin oxidizes iron from the ferrous state to the ferric state, assisting in iron transport. This oxidn. is coupled with the redn. of dioxygen to water, the mechanism of which is unclear. In order to elucidate more the mechanism of redn., this study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a novel copper (I) complex with a new tapma-based ligand. This tapma ligand is modeled after the tris (2-pyridylmethyl) amine-based (tpma) ligand family where nitrogen based donors are employed. This tapma ligand is synthesized from 1,3,5-tris(azidomethyl)-2,4,6-triethylbenzene in a click chem. step; the tri-substituted Et groups force the nitrogen ligand branches to adopt a conformation that brings the nitrogenous bases close to each other. NMR interpretation showed partial substitution of desired ligand product