A copper complex supported by an N₂S-tridentate ligand inducing efficient heterolytic O–O bond cleavage of alkylhydroperoxide

We have recently reported a copper(II)-superoxide complex supported by an N3-tridentate ligand (L(N3)), which exhibits a similar structure and reactivity to those of a putative reactive intermediate involved in the catalytic reactions of copper monooxygenases such as peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and dopamine β-monooxygenase (DβM). In this study, we have synthesised and characterised copper complexes supported by a related sulphur-containing ligand (L(N2S)) to get insight into the notable electronic effect of the sulphur donor atom in the reaction with cumene hydroperoxide, inducing efficient heterolytic O-O bond cleavage.