Abstract
X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the isolated [Co(dpt)2](ClO4)3 [dpt = di(3-aminopropyl)-amine] is the mer geometric isomer. All four six-membered chelate rings of the complex adopt flattened chair conformations, and substantial internal strain is evident in the structure. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a 15.259(3), b 10.646(2), c 15.367(3) �, β 9935(1)�. The structure was refined by blocked-matrix least-squares techniques to an R factor (on 1731 F) of 0.042. A molecular mechanics study of the [Co(dpt)2]3+ system shows that the structure (geometric isomer and conformer) having the lowest strain energy is mer-(chair, chair, chair, chair) which is that observed in the solid state, and predicts its coexistence in solution with several other conformers, particularly mer-(chair, chair, chair, λ-skew) and mer-(chair, chair, δskew, chair). The calculated isomer proportions are mer � u-fac > s-fac in accordance with the experimental observation of the mer only. The substantially higher strain energy of the mer isomer compared to mer-[Co(dien)2]3+ accounts for the tendency to hydrolysis of mer-[Co(dpt)2]3+.

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