Abstract: The electrochemical behaviors of various copper salts complexes coordinated with equal molar ethanolamine were studied, and those of Cu(p-OTs)₂ and Cu(p-OTs)₂/ethanolamine(1∶1) complex in CH₃OH or DMF were characterized. The results show that the reduction of Cu(Ⅱ) in Cu(p-OTs)₂ is via one two-electron step mechanism both in CH₃OH and DMF. The reduction mechanism transforms to two one-electron steps in the case of Cu(p-OTs)₂/ethanolamine(1∶1) in DMF. However, it does not change in CH₃OH. All the Cu(Ⅱ)/ethanolamine(1∶1) with the electrochemical reactions are through two one-electron steps, and can act as mimetic enzyme to oxidize 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol. The Cu(Ⅱ)/ethanolamine(1∶1) with electrochemical reactions through one two-electron step could not act as mimetic enzyme. It is concluded that the transformation between centre Cu(Ⅱ) and Cu(Ⅰ) is the crucial condition for the catalytic activity of copper-amine complex.

Key words:  copper p-toluenesulfonate; mimetic enzyme; 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol; electrochemistry