This paper reports the synthesis and characteristics of a new, flexible terdentate trinuclear ligand viz., tris(2-(N,N-bis(2'-benzimidazolylmethyl)amino)ethyl)amine (TTHB) and its Cu(II) coordination compounds The ligand TTHB was synthesized by condensation of tris(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride (TCA) and N,N-bis(2'-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine (IDB) in a 1:3 molar ratio in an alkaline medium. The trinuclear coordination compounds were prepared by reaction of ligand with an appropriate Cu salt, resp. Study of the constituents and the spectral properties of the complexes suggests a paramagnetic type-II Cu(II) center in a distorted square pyramidal geometry and another pair of magnetically coupled type-III Cu(II) ions bridged by a peroxide ion or a nitrate ion. The trinuclear complexes are possible models for the active site of multicopper enzymes.

Key words: ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, C13 NMR SPECTROMETRY, COPPER COMPLEX, PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETRY, MODEL COMPOUND