Chirale Erkennung bei Tris(diimin)-Metallkomplexen, 10. Vergleich der intermolekularen Wechselwirkungs- und Packungsmuster in der Reihe [Cr(bpy)3]n+(PF6)n (n = 0 – 3) / Chiral Recognition among Tris(diimine)-metal Complexes, 10. Comparison of Intermolecular Interactions and Packing Patterns in the Series [Cr(bpy)3]n+(PF6)n (n = 0–3)
Due to their conformational rigidity, the corrugated, chiral molecular structure, and the variability in the central metal and its oxidation state, [M(bpy)3]n+ complexes are particularly well suited to study chiral recognition and to identify intermolecular interaction patterns in the crystalline state. For [Cr(bpy)3]n+(PF6)n (n=0 - 3) four oxidation states are readily accessible which allows to investigate the influence of the cation/anion ratio on the observed packing patterns.The crystal structures of all four oxidation states are governed by so-called ‘π-π-interactions’. Apparently, in molecular salts the Madelung energy is less important as compared to classical inorganic salts.Interestingly, [Cr(bpy)3](PF6) and [Cr(bpy)3](PF6)2 comprise the same homochiral layers. However, while the former crystallises as true racemate, the latter spontaneously resolves into a conglomerate. This two-dimensional building block of homochiral layers is the most popular structural motif in this class of compounds which has been observed in a great variety of racemic and homochiral stackings.