Synthesis, properties and reactivity studies of a hetero‐dicopper complex consisting of a porphyrin and a bispyridylamine moiety connected by a xanthene backbone

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity studies of a hetero-dicopper complex, particularly towards oxygen reduction is presented. A bischlorido copper(II) trishistidine-type coordination unit is positioned directly above a copper porphyrin unit. The close distance between the two coordination fragments is secured by a rigid xanthene backbone. Surprisingly, the dinuclear complex is not active towards oxygen reduction unlike the earlier published mononuclear analogues with a bispyridylamine copper center. However, the compound architecture of this multinuclear metal complex is interesting and can play an important role in the development of new catalysts for ORR.