Molecular helicity in inorganic complexes: double helical binuclear complexes of 2,2′ : 6′,2″ : 6″,2‴ : 6‴,2â�—-quinquepyridine (L): crystal structures of [Cu2L2(O2CMe)][PF6]3·H2O and [Cu2L2][PF6]3·2MeCN

Abstract

The potentially pentadentate ligand 2,2′ : 6′,2″ : 6″,2‴,2â�—-quinquepyridine (L, quinquepy) forms complexes with first row transition-metal cations of 2 : 2 stoicheiometry. Crystallographic studies of the complexes [Cu₂L₂(O₂CMe)][PF₆]₃·H₂O and [Cu₂L₂][PF₆]₃·2MeCN reveal a double helical arrangement of the ligands about the metals.