Synthesis and structure of pseudotetrahedral Co(II) zwitterionic complexes: trichloro(1-methylpiperazin-1-ium-N4)cobalt(II) and trichloro(1,4-dimethylpiperazin-1-ium-N4)cobalt(II)

The pseudotetrahedral cobalt(II) zwitterionic complexes, CoCl₃(H₂Meppz)] (1) H₂Meppz⁺=1-methylpiperazin-1-ium cation] and CoCl₃(HMe₂ppz)] (2), HMe₂ppz⁺=1,4-dimethylpiperazin-1-ium cation] have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state by X-ray single crystal analysis, IR spectra, magnetic measurements and electronic spectra. In both the compounds the cobalt(II) center is coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral fashion by the three chloride ions and by one nitrogen of the piperazine ring that retains the more stable chair conformation. The distorted coordination polyhedron in complex 1 preserves the C_3v symmetry while in complex 2 it retains only the m symmetry. In complex 1, the (H₂Meppz)⁺ cation binds the Co(II) ion in the equatorial position of the piperazine ring using the unmethylated N1–H nitrogen atom that is less hindered than the methylated one. Complex 2, on the contrary, is a novelty being the first example of a Co(II) ion bound in the axial position of a piperazine ring, this produces a long Co(II)–N bond, 2.108(4) Å. Electronic spectra in the solid state are in perfect accordance with the X-ray crystallographic results indicating a C_3v symmetry for complex 1 and a C_s(m) symmetry for complex 2. These complexes present strong two-center and three-center hydrogen bonds of N⁺–H⋯Cl type.