Electrochemically Driven Swinging of a Nitrobenzyl Pendant Arm in a Nickel Scorpionand Complex.

ABSTRACT: A radical anion -NO₂ ^.- is formed upon an electrochemically reversible one-electron reduction of the square-planar Ni^II complex of N-nitrobenzylcyclam. The -NO₂ ^.- group goes to occupy an axial position of the metal ion, thus establishing a significant electronic interaction with the metal center. In particular, the ESR spectrum supports the occurrence of an electron transfer from -NO₂ ^.- to the metal, which therefore presents a significant Ni^I character. On re-oxidation, the nitrobenzyl side chain detaches and the Ni^II complex is restored, providing an example of a fully reversible redox driven intramolecular motion.

SUBMITTER: Ciarrocchi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9311437 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature