Probing Memory Effects in Octahedral Substitution Reactions: New Handles on Rearrangement Processes

Abstract

The rates and steric course for the Me 2 SO substitution reactions for cis - and trans -[Co(en) 2 (OSMe 2 )(N 3 )] 2+ in solvent Me 2 SO have been investigated by 1 H NMR and Vis./UV spectroscopy. Isomerisation, racemisation, solvent exchange and NH scrambling experiments for selectively-deuterated complexes are reported which provide a wider picture on the octahedral substitution process and the nature of the intermediates than previously possible. The results show that the traditional accounts appearing in standard texts are in need of revamping.