The coordination chemistry of 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′, 2″-terpyridine; the synthesis, crystal and molecular structures of 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and bis(4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)nickel(II) chloride decahydrate

The convenient preparation and the structural characterisation of the terdentate ligand 4′-phenyl- 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (crystallographic data: space group Pbcn,a=11.801(1),b=12.177(3),c=10.976(3) Å,Z=4, 1192 reflections with F≥3σ(F), R=0.0556) is described. The three pyridyl rings adopt approximately planar transoid configurations about the interannular CC bonds, whilst the phenyl ring adopts an angle of 10.9° with respect to the central pyridyl ring. A range of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of this ligand with transition metals has been prepared, and the compound [NiL₂]Cl₂·10H₂O (L=4′- phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) has been structurally characterised (crystallographic data: space group P1,a=10.340(2),b=12.690(2), c=19.822(4) Å, Z=2,5926 reflections with F≥4σ(F),R=0.0583). The complex possesses a distorted octahedral structure with two approximately planar terdentate L ligands; the phenyl groups now adopt angles of ≈17° with respect to the central pyridyl rings.