Synthesis, X-ray structure and catalytic properties of a copper(II) Schiff base complex modeling the activity of the CuB site of dopamine β-hydroxylase

The copper(II) complex [Cu(salgly)(bpy)]·4H2O (1), where salgly is a tridentate glycinatosalicylaldimine Schiff base ligand, is prepared and structurally characterized. The complex is found to be catalytically active in the oxidation of ascorbic acid by dioxygen and the process is also effective in the presence of benzylamine giving benzaldehyde as a product, thus modeling the activity of the CuB site of dopamine β-hydroxylase.