The crystal structure of (+) D -tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chloride monohydrate, (+) D -[Co(en)3]Cl3.H2O

Revisiting the structure of (±)-[Co(en)3]I3·H2O – X-ray crystallographic and second-Harmonic results

As described in the Introduction, we became interested in the existing literature for the crystallization behavior of (±)-[Co(en)3]I3·H2O and the absolute configuration of its enantiomers because of our project on the historical sequence of chemical studies leading Werner to formulate his Theory of Coordination Chemistry. In so doing, we discovered a number of interesting facts, including the possibility that the published “Pbca” structure of the (±)-[Co(en)3]I3·H2O was incorrect, and that it really crystallizes as a kryptoracemate in space group P212121. Other equally interesting facts concerning the crystallization behavior of [Co(en)3]I3·H2O are detailed below, together with an explanation why Platon incorrectly selects, in this case, the space group Pbca instead of the correct choice, P212121. As for the Flack parameter, (±)-[Co(en)3]I3·H2O provides an example long sought by Flack himself – a challenging case, differing from the norm. For that purpose, data sets (for the pure enantiomer and for the racemate) were collected at 100 K with R-factors of 4.24 and 2.82%, respectively, which are ideal for such a test. The fact that Pbca is unacceptable in this case is documented by the results of Second-Harmonic Generation experiments. CCDC nos: 1562401 for compound (I) and 1562403 for compound (II).

Cobalt(II) Dioxygen Carriers Based on Simple Diamino Ligands: Kinetic and ab Initio Studies

The kinetics of the oxygenation reaction of CoL2(2+) complexes (L=ethylenediamine (en), N,N'-dimethylethylenediamnine (dmen)) have been investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) at 298 K and in a medium adjusted to 0.1 mol dm(-3) with Et4NClO4 by means of a UV-vis spectrophotometric technique. The reaction mechanisms are consistent with the fast formation of superoxo 1:1 initial CoL2-O2 species (L=en, dmen), whereas the dimeric mu-peroxo (CoL2)2O2 adduct is formed only when L=en, in the rate determining step. The kinetic results are discussed taking into account the effects of ligand/solvent substitution. EPR results give information on the electronic structure and the coordination geometry of the Co(II) complexes and further confirm the stoichiometry of the species formed. Ab initio calculations provide insights on the geometrical parameters of all the complexes investigated and allow us to draw some hypotheses about the influence of H.H nonbonded interactions in the eventual formation of the dimeric mu-peroxo (CoL2)2O2 complexes. Solvational effects are also considered. The formation of the (CoL3)2O2 adduct is also proved when L=en by means of O2 volumetric absorption.

On the Origin of the Optical Activity in the d−d Transition Region of Tris-Bidentate Co(III) and Rh(III) Complexes

Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) has been employed to calculate the rotatory strengths in the d-d transition region for various tris-bidentate Co(III) and Rh(III) complexes. Optimized structural parameters are also reported. Our results confirm a previously proposed relationship between the azimuthal distortion of a complex containing saturated tris(diamine) and its optical activity. Formally d-d transitions are forbidden and should not exhibit optical activity. However, it is shown here that the intensity of these bands originates from a coupling of even ligand combination (participating in the e(g) type LUMO) and an odd ligand combination (participating in the t(2)(g) HOMO). For complexes containing planar unsaturated ligands, the signs of the d-d bands observed from the single-crystal circular and linear dichroisms are in accordance with the TD-DFT predictions. It is shown that by using hypothetical Co(NH(3))(6)(3+) complexes it is possible to estimate the contribution from the azimuthal distortion to the total rotatory strengths of the saturated tris(diamine) complexes. A discussion is also provided of previous theoretical studies and the way in which these investigations rationalized the optical activity.