Coordinating Properties of the Fluorosulfate Ion. Tetrakis(pyridine) Complexes of Zinc(II), Copper(II), and Nickel(II) Fluorosulfates
Complexes of the type M(py)4(SO3F)2 (py = pyridine, M = Ni, Cu, Zn) have been prepared and characterized. Infrared spectra of all three complexes, electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility studies of the copper and nickel complexes, and e.p.r. studies of the copper complex are reported. The complexes have tetragonally distorted octahedral structures with fluorosulfate groups coordinated to metal ions as unidentate ligands. To facilitate comparison of the coordinating action of the fluorosulfate ion with other polyatomic anions the complexes, Cu(py)4X2 (X = ClO4−, BF4−, NO3−, p-CH3C6H4SO3−, CF3CO2−) have been prepared and their electronic properties examined. The studies indicate that the coordinating strength of SO3F− towards metals is greater than ClO4−, BF4−, and NO3− but less than p-CH3C6H4SO3− and CF3CO2−. Electrical conductivity studies on solutions in acetonitrile indicate a correlation between the relative coordinating strength of the anion in a given complex and the extent to which the complex undergoes ionic dissociation in this solvent.