1,1-Bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine, 1,1,1-tris(2-pyridyl)methylamine (tpm), 2-methylsulfanyl-1,1-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylamine and related compounds have been prepared by metallation of 2-aminomethylpyridine. Tpm coordinates readily to both copper(I) and copper(II); the X-ray crystal structure of the copper(II) sulfato complex [Cu(SO4)(tpm)(H2O)] shows the tpm ligand coordinated to the metal via the three pyridine nitrogens in a tripodal fashion, leaving the primary amine function free for derivatisation.
