Crystal structure and absolute configuration of (–)-tris(pentane-2,4-dionato)chromium(III)

Abstract

The crystal structure and absolute configuration of the title complex (–)[Cr(pd)₃] has been determined from single-crystal X-ray data and refined by least-squares methods to R 0.037. The red-purple crystal has unit-cell dimensions a= 12.720(3), b= 12.643(4)c= 11.443(3)Å, β= 101.08(4)°, space group P2₁, and Z= 4. The (–) isomer has the Δ configuration and a nearly regular CrO₆ co-ordination octahedron. The packing modes of the molecules in the active and in the racemic[Cr(pd)₃] crystal are compared and the enantiomeric discrimination in favour of the latter structure is analyzed.