Copper ibuprofenate is a coordination complex consisting of copper(II) and the conjugate base of ibuprofen.
Copper ibuprofenate adopts a typical Chinese lantern structure, as seen for many transition metal carboxylate complexes. X-ray crystallography reveals a polymer with a bonding motif very similar to that of copper(II) trifluoroacetate.
The compound is prepared by the reaction of sodium ibuprofenate with copper(II) sulfate.
It has been suggested that copper complexes of anti-inflammatory drugs are more active than the parent drug and produce fewer gastrointestinal side-effects.
In 2008, a United States patent was issued for the utilization of ibuprofenate complexes (including copper ibuprofenate) as a wood preservative.