An X-ray investigation of stereoselectivity in the interactions of [Co(en)3]3+ with [Co(ox)3]3− (en is ethane-1,2-diamine and ox is oxalate)

Abstract

The X-ray structure of racemic tris(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2 N,N′)cobalt(III) tris(oxalato-κ2 O 1,O 2)cobaltate(III) pentahydrate, [Co(C2H8N2)3][Co(C2O4)3]·5H2O or [Co(en)3][Co(ox)3]·5H2O, has been determined. Hydrogen-bonding interactions along the C 3-axis of the [Co(en)3]3+ cation with the [Co(ox)3]3− anion are heterochiral, while those perpendicular to this axis are homochiral. Implications for the interpretation of chiral discriminations and induction in electron-transfer reactions in solution are discussed.