Copper-induced N–N bond cleavage results in an octanuclear expanded-core grid-like complex

Reaction of copper(I) acetate and 4-amino-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (adpt) in methanol under ambient conditions yields octanuclear [Cu(II)(8)(dpt)(4)(OH)(4)(OAc)(8)]; OAc = acetate anion, and dpt(-) = anion of deaminated adpt, 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolate. However, reaction of copper(ii) acetate with dptH gives tetranuclear [Cu(II)(4)(dpt)(2)(OH)(OMe)(OAc)(4)].