Configuration effects on electrode processes: optically active complexes of quadridentate Schiff bases. Part 1. Cobalt complexes

Abstract

Diastereoisomeric cobalt chelate complexes of quadridentate Schiff bases derived from disubstituted ethylene-diamines and salicylaldehyde show differences in the polarographic redox potentials and rates of electron transfer which are attributed to the different extent of tetrahedral distortion around the metal atom. In the oxygen adducts of the chelate complexes, inspection of the half-wave potentials corresponding to the reduction of co-ordinated oxygen shows that the ‘activation’ of the molecular oxygen is also different in complexes with different conformations.