Coordination behaviour of new open chain and macrocyclic peptidomimetic compounds with copper (ii)

Two valine-derived bis(amino amides) ligands have been prepared and fully characterized. Both compounds contain additional functionalities that implement their basicity and their water solubility. Besides, compound 1 is an open chain ligand, while 2 is a macrocycle. Their protonation constants as well as their stability constants for the formation of the corresponding Cu2+ complexes have been determined potentiometrically. Important differences are associated to the macrocyclic effect and to the additional functionalities in the spacer. The presence of an additional amine group and/or the inclusion of a carboxylic side chain in this spacer increase the stabilities of the Cu2+complexes, suggesting its participation in the interaction with the metal. Thus, 2 is the first pseudopeptidic cyclophane of this family displaying the ability to form highly stable metal complexes in water. UV-Vis and ESI-MS were used for analyzing the complex species detected in the speciation diagram