title: Strong solvent-dependent preference of Δ and Λ stereoisomers of a tris(diamine)nickel(II) complex revealed by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy.
abstract: In the present study, we use vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy to investigate the metal-centered Δ and Λ chirality of a tris(diamine)nickel(II) complex. Chiral diphenylethylenediamine is chosen as the ligand, which puts the Δ and Λ isomers of the complex in a diastereomeric relationship. X-ray crystallography indicates an equal preference of both stereoisomers in the solid state. This equal preference is also supported by the related density functional theory calculations. A comparison between the experimental and calculated VCD spectra also proves the existence of both isomers in an acetonitrile solution. However, a significant shift of the equilibrium toward the Λ diastereomer is found for the complex in dimethyl sulfoxide. This solvent-induced preference for a particular absolute configuration is hypothesized to arise from a stronger and more effective solvation of the Λ isomer. The observation that the solvent can significantly influence and shift an equilibrium between two diastereomeric forms is expected to have important implications on structural analysis and on how reaction mechanisms are rationalized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton T6G2G2, Canada.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merten
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Yunjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu