More Like this

1. One-electron bonds in copper–aluminum and copper–gallium complexes

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC01998A  

   Graziano, Brendan J.; Scott, Thais R.; Vollmer, Matthew V.; Dorantes, Michael J.; Young, Victor G.; Bill, Eckhard; Gagliardi, Laura; Lu, Connie C. (June 2022, Chemical Science)

   Odd-electron bonds have unique electronic structures and are often encountered as transiently stable, homonuclear species. In this study, a pair of copper complexes supported by Group 13 metalloligands, M[N(( o -C 6 H 4 )NCH 2 P i Pr 2 ) 3 ] (M = Al or Ga), featuring two-center/one-electron (2c/1e) σ-bonds were synthesized by one-electron reduction of the corresponding Cu( i ) ⇢ M(III) counterparts. The copper bimetallic complexes were investigated by X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, electron paramagnetic spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. The combined experimental and theoretical data corroborate that the unpaired spin is delocalized across Cu, M, and ancillary atoms, and the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) corresponds to a σ-(Cu–M) bond involving the Cu 4p z and M n s/ n p z atomic orbitals. Collectively, the data suggest the covalent nature of these interactions, which represent the first examples of odd-electron σ-bonds for the heavier Group 13 elements Al and Ga. 

   more » « less
2. Multiscale modeling of copper and copper/nickel nanofoams under compression

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2019.109290  

   Ke, H.; Jimenez, A. Garcia; Da Silva, D.A. Rodrigues; Mastorakos, I. (February 2020, Computational Materials Science)
3. Mixed phosphine/carbonyl derivatives of heterobimetallic copper–iron and copper–tungsten catalysts

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2018.09.062  

   Leon, Noel J.; Yu, Hsien-Cheng; Mazzacano, Thomas J.; Mankad, Neal P. (January 2019, Polyhedron)
4. Solution Depositions of Copper and Copper Sulfide Thin Films: Effects of Thiourea

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5c03002  

   Vienes, Jevalyne; Walker, Amy V (July 2025, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C)
5. Copper Mining and Vehicle Electrification

   Cathles, LM; Simon, AC (May 2024, International Energy Forum)

   Electric vehicles (EVs) require substantially more copper and other metals than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For example, manufacture of an ICE automobile requires 24 kg copper whereas manufacture of an EV requires 60 kg. Many have expressed concern that the lack of critical mineral resources may not allow full electrification of the global vehicle transportation fleet, and the vehicle electrification resource demand is just a small part of that needed for the transition. By displaying both demand and mine production in full historical context we show that copper resources are available, but 100% manufacture of EVs by 2035 requires unprecedented rates of mine production. The 100% EV target not only requires significant extra copper for battery manufacture, but also more copper for grid upgrades to support charging, while hybrid electric vehicles do not require extra grid capacity. Under today’s policy settings for copper mining, it is highly unlikely that there will be sufficient additional new mines to achieve 100% EV by 2035. Policymakers might consider changing the vehicle electrification goal from 100% EV to 100% hybrid manufacture by 2035. This would allow for future output of existing and new copper mines to be used for the developing world to catch up with the developed world in electrification. Life cycle emissions for battery electric vehicles compared with hybrid electric vehicles are comparable with each other. Mining must be recognized as essential, and exploration and responsible copper mine development strongly encouraged. 

   more » « less