Stereoselectivity in the formation of tris-diimine complexes of Fe(II), Ru(II), and Os(II) with a C2-symmetric chiral derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine.

A C2-symmetric enantiopure 4,5-bis(pinene)-2,2'-bipyridine ligand (-)-L was used to investigate the diastereoselectivity in the formation of [ML3]2+ coordination species (M = Fe(II), Ru(II), Os(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II)), and [ML2Cl2] (M = Ru(II), Os(II)). The X-ray structures of the [ML3]2+ complexes were determined for Delta-[FeL3](PF6)2, Delta-[RuL3](PF6)2, Lambda-[RuL3](PF6)2, Delta-[OsL3](PF6)2, and Lambda-[OsL3](TfO)2. All of these compounds were also characterized by NMR, CD and UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy. The [FeL3]2+ diastereoisomers were studied in equilibrated solutions at various temperatures and in several solvents. The [RuL3]2+ complexes, which are thermally stable up to 200 degrees C, were photochemically equilibrated.