Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Geometrically specific imino complexes of the [Re6(μ3-Se)8]2+ core-containing clusters
Xiaoyan Tu1, Huong Truong, Eli Alster
1Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Abstract:
The reactions of nitrile complexes of the [Re(6)(μ(3)-Se)(8)](2+) core-containing clusters, [Re(6)(μ(3)-Se)(8)(PEt(3))(n)(CH(3)CN)(6-n)](2+) [n = 5 (1); n = 4, cis- (2) and trans- (3); n = 0 (4)], with organic azides C(6)H(5)CH(CH(3))N(3) and C(6)H(5)CH(2)N(3) produced the corresponding cationic imino complexes of the general formula [Re(6)(μ(3)-Se)(8)(PEt(3))(n)(L)(6-n)](2+) [L = PhN=CHCH(3): n = 5 (5); n = 4, cis- (6) and trans- (7); n = 0 (8) and L = HN=CHPh: n = 5 (9); n = 4, cis- (10) and trans- (11)]. These novel complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy ((1)H and (31)P) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A mechanism involving the migration of one of the groups on the azido α-C atom to the α-N atom of the azido complex, concerted with the photo-expulsion of N(2), was invoked to rationalize the formation of the imino complexes. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that due to the coordination with and activation by the cluster core, the energy of the electronic transition responsible for the photo-decomposition of a cluster-bound azide is much reduced with respect to its pure organic counterpart. The observed geometric specificity was rationalized by using the calculated and optimized preferred ground-state conformation of the cluster-azido intermediates.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Coordination Number and Geometry
Stereoisomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Valence Bond Theory
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.

