Functionalised 2,2 `-bipyridine ligands for the preparation of metallostars; X-ray structures of free ligands and preparation of copper(I) and silver(I) complexes

2,2-Bipyridine ligands bearing functionalised aryl substituents have been prepared with the aim of subsequent functionalisation and the preparation of multinuclear metallostars. The key intermediates are compounds containing 4-methoxyphenyl substituents which may be converted to 4-hydroxyphenyl substituted ligands. Copper(I) and silver(I) complexes of 4,4`-di(methoxyphenyl)-6,6`-dimethyl-2,2`-bipyridine have been prepared and structurally characterised as have the ligands 4,4`-di(methoxypheny1)-6,6`-dimethyl-2,2`-bipyridine and 4,4`-di(methoxyphenyl)-2,2`-bipyridine.