Pseudo-polymorphism in a conformationally rigid copper helicate - structural studies of a shape-awkward system

Martinez Belmonte, M. and Price, D.J. (2012) Pseudo-polymorphism in a conformationally rigid copper helicate - structural studies of a shape-awkward system. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2012(26), pp. 4117-4130. (doi: 10.1002/ejic.201200676)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201200676

Abstract

The coordination of copper(II) by the acyclic polydentate ligand ethylene-1,2-bisoxamate [(oeo)4–] results in the formation of an anionic dinuclear double-stranded helicate, [Cu2(oeo)2]4–. The potassium salt of this large, chiral, approximately spherical, D2 symmetric and highly charged complex molecular anion is found to crystallise in five different hydrated forms; a trihydrate 6a, a tetrahydrate 6b, a tetrahemihydrate 6c, a pentahydrate 6d and an approximate heptahydrate 6e. All of these forms crystallise from solution under similar conditions. Together this large anion and the relatively small K+ cation provide something of a shape-awkward system, as evidenced by the high degree of pseudo-polymorphism. X-ray structural analysis of 6a–e reveals much similarity in the order, symmetry and packing of the anions, but great irregularity and disorder in the packing of the K+ counterions and water of crystallisation. The structures are further complicated by a Cu nonstoichiometry. Although 6e has a 100% Cu site occupancy, 6a and 6c have site occupancies less than 100% and contain both [Cu2(oeo)2]4– and [Cu(Hoeo)2]4– complex ions as a solid solution. In 6b and 6d, where the Cu site occupancy is below 50%, the compound comprises [Cu(Hoeo)2]4– and [(H2oeo)2]4– units distributed over the same site. It is a remarkable feature of this system that hydrogen bond interactions between pairs of the protonated acyclic ligands result in a dimeric structure, which has the same shape, charge and structure as that of the copper complex of the fully deprotonated ligand. So similar are the [Cu2(oeo)2]4–, [Cu(Hoeo)2]4– and [(H2oeo)2]4– components that they are undifferentiated in the crystal structures, and the solid solutions that they form can be viewed as molecular alloys.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Price, Dr Daniel
Authors: Martinez Belmonte, M., and Price, D.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
ISSN:1434-1948
ISSN (Online):1099-0682
Published Online:08 August 2012

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