Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
06:31
Preparation of SNS Cobalt(II) Pincer Model Complexes of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase
Published on: March 19, 2020
Tris(ethyl-enedi-amine)-cobalt(II) dichloride.
Kristin Cooke1, Andrei V Olenev, Kirill Kovnir
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Summary
Cobalt(II) tris(ethylenediamine) complex chloride was unexpectedly synthesized. This coordination compound features a distorted octahedral cobalt(II) cation with unique twisted chelate rings and wider bond angles than its cobalt(III) analog.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Coordination Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Solvothermal synthesis is a key method for inorganic material preparation.
- Cobalt complexes with ethylenediamine are well-studied in coordination chemistry.
- Understanding coordination geometries and bonding is crucial for materials science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the unexpected product of a solvothermal synthesis.
- To investigate the coordination geometry and crystal structure of the title compound.
- To compare the structural features with related cobalt(III) complexes.
Main Methods:
- Solvothermal synthesis.
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Analysis of bond angles and hydrogen bonding networks.
Main Results:
- Unexpected formation of [Co(II)(C2H8N2)3]Cl2 during attempted cobalt selenide synthesis.
- The cobalt(II) complex exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry with twisted chelate rings.
- Observed cis-N-Co-N bond angles are significantly wider than in the analogous cobalt(III) complex.
- A 3D network is formed via N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, with stacked cationic complexes and chloride anions.
Conclusions:
- The solvothermal method can yield unexpected coordination compounds.
- Structural analysis reveals distinct geometric features of the cobalt(II) complex compared to cobalt(III).
- Hydrogen bonding plays a significant role in the crystal packing of the complex.
Related Concept Videos
03:02Colors and Magnetism
Color in Coordination Complexes
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.
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.
02:34Structural Isomerism
Isomerism in Complexes
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...
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...
02:42Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
02:52Stereoisomerism
Isomerism in Complexes
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...
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...
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
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...
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...
01:22EDTA: Chemistry and Properties
Polydentate ligands are most widely used in complexometric titrations because they form more stable complexes with the metal ions than mono- or bidentate ligands due to the chelate effect. Examples of polydentate ligands are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), crown ethers, and cryptands. The most important feature of optimal polydentate ligands is the ability to form 1:1 complexes in a single-step process. Amino carboxylic acid derivatives are frequently used as complexing agents. EDTA is...