Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
Bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolato iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes: structural chemistry and paramagnetic NMR
Matthias Kruck1, Désirée C Sauer, Markus Enders
1Anorganisch-Chemisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 270, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Condensation of phthalodinitrile and 2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline gave the bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindole protioligand 1 (thqbpiH) in high yield. Deprotonation of thqbpiH (1) using LDA in THF at -78 °C yields the corresponding lithium complex [Li(THF)(thqbpi)] (2) in which the lithium atom enforces almost planar arrangement of the tridentate ligand, with an additional molecule of THF coordinated to Li. Reaction of cobalt(II) chloride or iron(II) chloride with one equivalent of the lithium complex 2 in THF led to formation of the metal complexes [CoCl(THF)(thqbpi)] (3a) and [FeCl(THF)(thqbpi)] (3b). The paramagnetic susceptibility of 3a,b in solution was measured by the Evans method (3a: μ(eff) = 4.17 μ(B); 3b: μ(eff) = 5.57 μ(B)). Stirring a solution of 1 and cobalt(II) acetate tetrahydrate in methanol yielded the cobalt(II) complex 4 which was also accessible by treatment of 3a with one equivalent of silver or thallium acetate in DMSO. Whereas 3a,b were found to be mononuclear in the solid state, the acetate complex 4 was found to be dinuclear, the two metal centres being linked by an almost symmetrically bridging acetate. For all transition metal complexes paramagnetic (1)H as well as (13)C NMR spectra were recorded at variable temperatures. The complete assignment of the paramagnetic NMR spectra was achieved by computation of the spin densities within the complexes using DFT. The proton NMR spectra of 3a and 3b displayed dynamic behaviour. This was attributed to the exchange of coordinating solvent molecules by an associative mechanism which was analysed using lineshape analysis (ΔS(≠)= -154 ± 25 J mol(-1) K(-1) for 3a and ΔS(≠) = -168 ± 15 J mol(-1) K(-1) for 3b).
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...
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.
Valence Bond Theory
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
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...
Coordination Compounds and Nomenclature

