Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond
Abstract Copper is ubiquitous as a structural material, and as a reagent in (bio)chemical transformations. A vast number of chemical reactions rely on the near-inevitable preference of copper for positive oxidation states to make useful compounds. Here we show this electronic paradigm can be subvert...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56544-z |
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| author | Ross A. Jackson Nicholas J. Evans Dawid J. Babula Thomas M. Horsley Downie Rex S. C. Charman Samuel E. Neale Mary F. Mahon David J. Liptrot |
| author_facet | Ross A. Jackson Nicholas J. Evans Dawid J. Babula Thomas M. Horsley Downie Rex S. C. Charman Samuel E. Neale Mary F. Mahon David J. Liptrot |
| author_sort | Ross A. Jackson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Copper is ubiquitous as a structural material, and as a reagent in (bio)chemical transformations. A vast number of chemical reactions rely on the near-inevitable preference of copper for positive oxidation states to make useful compounds. Here we show this electronic paradigm can be subverted in a stable compound with a copper-magnesium bond, which conforms to the formal oxidation state of Cu(-I). The Cu-Mg bond is synthesized by the reaction of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated copper alkoxide with a dimeric magnesium(I) compound. Its identity is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis and NMR spectroscopy, and computational investigations provide data consistent with a high charge density at copper. The Cu-Mg bond acts as a source of the cupride anion, transferring the NHC-copper fragment to electrophilic s-, p-, and d-block atoms to make known and new copper-containing compounds. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-334604d2aad94f46a4b7e7bbee17cbbc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-334604d2aad94f46a4b7e7bbee17cbbc2025-02-02T12:31:28ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-011611810.1038/s41467-025-56544-zNucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bondRoss A. Jackson0Nicholas J. Evans1Dawid J. Babula2Thomas M. Horsley Downie3Rex S. C. Charman4Samuel E. Neale5Mary F. Mahon6David J. Liptrot7Department of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathAbstract Copper is ubiquitous as a structural material, and as a reagent in (bio)chemical transformations. A vast number of chemical reactions rely on the near-inevitable preference of copper for positive oxidation states to make useful compounds. Here we show this electronic paradigm can be subverted in a stable compound with a copper-magnesium bond, which conforms to the formal oxidation state of Cu(-I). The Cu-Mg bond is synthesized by the reaction of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated copper alkoxide with a dimeric magnesium(I) compound. Its identity is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis and NMR spectroscopy, and computational investigations provide data consistent with a high charge density at copper. The Cu-Mg bond acts as a source of the cupride anion, transferring the NHC-copper fragment to electrophilic s-, p-, and d-block atoms to make known and new copper-containing compounds.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56544-z |
| spellingShingle | Ross A. Jackson Nicholas J. Evans Dawid J. Babula Thomas M. Horsley Downie Rex S. C. Charman Samuel E. Neale Mary F. Mahon David J. Liptrot Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond Nature Communications |
| title | Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond |
| title_full | Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond |
| title_fullStr | Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond |
| title_short | Nucleophilicity at copper(-I) in a compound with a Cu–Mg bond |
| title_sort | nucleophilicity at copper i in a compound with a cu mg bond |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56544-z |
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