Recently, we reported the structure and properties of several copper(II) complexes with aminocarbohydrate-based ligands. Four of these complexes are capable of catalyzing the oxidation of 3,5-di-(t)butyl-catechol (dtbc) to the corresponding quinone. The present work contains new compounds of this ligand series of which most form different structure types than the previously described. Investigations on the influence of possible inhibitors like kojic and cinnamic acid, as well as simple ligands like chloride ions and of the pH-value on the catalytic reaction are investigated. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.