Host/Guest Simulation of Fluorescent Probes Adsorbed into Low‐Density Polyethylene, 1. Excimer Formation of 1,3‐Di(1‐pyrenyl)propane

Molecular dynamics and Rotational Isomer State/Monte Carlo techniques with a Dreiding 1.01 Force Field are employed to study the excimer formation of isolated 1,3‐di(1‐pyrenyl)propane and the probe adsorbed into a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix model. The probability of formation of each molecular conformer at several temperatures was calculated using these theoretical techniques. Conformational statistical analysis of the four torsion angles (ϕ₁, ϕ₂, θ₁, θ₂) of Py3MPy showed that the angles —C—C^ar— (ϕ₁, ϕ₂) present two states c ^± = ±90°; and the angles —C—C— (θ₁, θ₂), the three trans states = 180°, g ^± = ±60°. The correlation of θ₁–θ₂ torsion angles showed that the most probable pairs were g⁺g^– and g^–g⁺ for the excimer‐like specimens, although these angles are distorted because of interactions with the polymer matrix. The temperature dependence of the excimer‐formation probability revealed that this process was thermodynamically controlled in the isolated case. When the probe was adsorbed into the LDPE matrix, the excimer formation process was reversed at T = 375 K. At T >  375 K, the behavior was similar to the isolated case but, at T < 375 K, excimer formation probability increased with temperature as found experimentally by steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy. This temperature was coincident with the onset of the LDPE melting process, determined experimentally by thermal analysis.     

Kinetic studies of the deactivation of O2(1Σg+) and O(1D)

The kinetics of the deactivation of O₂(¹Σ_g⁺) is studied in real time. O₂(¹Σ_g⁺) is generated in this system by the O(¹D) + O₂ reaction following O₃laser flash photolysis in the presence of excess O₂, and it is monitored by its characteristic emission band at 762 nm. Quenching rate constants were obtained for O₂, O₃, N₂, CO₂, H₂O, CF₄and the rare gases. Since O(¹D) is the precursor for the formation of O₂(¹Σ_g⁺), the addition of an O(¹D) quencher effectively lowers the initial concentration of O₂(¹Σ_g⁺). By measuring the initial intensity of the 762 nm fluorescence signal, the relative quenching efficiencies were determined for O(¹D) quenching by N₂, CO₂, Xe, and Kr with respect to O₂; the results are in good agreement with literature values.     

Photooxidation of Tryptophan: O2(1Δg) versus Electron-Transfer Pathway

Abstract— Tris (2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)chloride hexahydrate (Ru[bpy]₃²+) free in solution and adsorbed onto antimony-doped SnO₂ colloidal particles was used as a photosensitizer for a comparison of the O₂(¹Δ_g) and electron-transfer-mediated photooxidation of tryptophan (TRP), respectively. Quenching of excited Ru(bpy)₃²+ by O₂(³σ_g^?) in an aerated aqueous solution leads only to the formation of O₂(¹Δ_g) (φ₄= 0.18) and this compound was used as a type II photosensitizer. Excitation of Ru(bpy)₃²+ adsorbed onto Sb/SnO₂ results in a fast injection of an electron into the conduction band of the semiconductor and accordingly to the formation of Ru(bpy)₃²+ and was used for the sensitization of the electron-transfer-mediated photooxidation. The Ru(bpy)₃³+ is reduced by TRP with a bimolecular rate constant k_Q= 5.9 × 10⁸M^?1 s^?1, while O₂(¹Δ_g) is quenched by TRP with k_t= 7.1 × 10⁷M^?1 s^?1 (chemical + physical quenching). Relative rate constants for the photooxidation of TRP (k_c) via both pathways were determined using fluorescence emission spectroscopy. With N_p, the rate of photons absorbed, being constant for both pathways we obtained k_c= (372/N_p) M^?1 s^?1 for the O₂(¹Δ_g) pathway and k_c≥ (25013/N_p) M^?1 s^?1 for the electron-transfer pathway, respectively. Thus the photooxidation of Trp is more than two orders of magnitude more efficient when it is initiated by electron transfer than when initiated by O₂(¹Δ_g).     

A kinetic study of the chemistry of the SO2 (3B1) reactions with cis- and trans-2-butene

The chemical reactions of SO₂(³B₁) molecules with cis- and trans-2-butene have been studied in gaseous mixtures at 25°C by excitation of SO₂ within the SO₂(³B₁) → SO₂(+, ¹A₁) ‘forbidden’ band using 3500–4100-Å light. The initial quatum yields of olefin isomerization were determined as a function of the [SO₂]/[2-butene] ratio and added gases, He and O₂. The kinetic treatment of these data suggests that there is formed in the SO₂(³B₁) quenching step with either cis- or trans-2-butene, some common intermediate, probably a triplet addition complex between SO- and olefin. It decomposes very rapidly to form the 2-butene isomers in the ratio [trans-2-butene]/[cis-2-butene] = 1.8. In another series of experiments SO₂ was excited using a 3630 ± 1-Å laser pulse of short duration, and the SO₂(³B₁) quenching rate constants with the 2-butenes were determined from the SO₂(³B₁) lifetime measurements. The rate constants at 21°C are (1.29 ± 0.18) × 10¹¹ and (1.22 ± 0.15) × 10¹¹ l/mole·sec with cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene, respectively, as the quencher molecule. Within the experimental error these quenching constants equal those derived from the quantum yield data. Thus the rate-determining step in the isomerization reaction is suggested to be the quenching reaction, presumably the formation of the triplet SO₂-2-butene addition complex. In a third series of experiments using light scattering measurements, it was found that the aerosol formation probably originates largely from SO₃ and H₂SO₄ mist formed following the reaction SO₂(³B₁) + SO₂ → SO₃ + SO(³Σ^?). Aerosol formation from photochemically excited SO₂-olefin interaction is probably unimportant in these systems and must be unimportant in the atmosphere.     

Selective [2+1+1] Fragmentation of P4 by heteroleptic Metallasilylenes

Small-molecule activation by low-valent main-group element compounds is of general interest. We here report the synthesis and characterization (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si NMR, IR, sc-XRD) of heteroleptic metallasilylenes L¹(Cl)MSiL² (M=Al 1 , Ga 2 , L¹=HC[C(Me)NDipp]₂, Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; L²=PhC(N^tBu)₂). Their electronic nature was analyzed by quantum chemical computations, while their promising potential in small-molecule activation was demonstrated in reactions with P₄, which occurred with unprecedented [2+1+1] fragmentation of the P₄ tetrahedron and formation of L¹(Cl)MPSi(L²)PPSi(L²)PM(Cl)L¹ (M=Al 3 , Ga 4 ).     

The temperature dependence and the mechanism of the SO2 (3B1) quenching reactions

The Arrhenius parameters have been determined for the SO₂(³B₁) quenching reaction (9), SO₂(³B₁) + M → (SO₂ ? M), for 21 different molecules as quenching partner M. The rate constants were calculated from phosphorescence lifetime measurements made over a range of reactant pressures and temperatures. Excitation of the SO₂ (³B₁) molecules was accomplished by two very different methods: (1) a 3829 Å laser pulse generated the triplet directly through absorption within the “forbidden” SO₂ (³B₁) → SO₂ (¹A₁) band; (2) a broadband Xe-flash system generated SO₂(³B₁) molecules and triplets were formed subsequently by intersystem crossing, SO₂(¹B₁) + M → SO₂(³B₁) + M. The measured rate constants were independent of the method of triplet formation employed. For the atmospheric gases, the activation energies (kcal/mole) were identical within the experimental error: N₂, 2.9 ± 0.4; 0₂, 3.2 ± 0.5; Ar, 2.8 ± 0.6; CO₂, 2.8 ± 0.4; CO, 2.7 ± 0.4; CH₄, 2.5 ± 0.6. This energy corresponds to the first region of the SO₂(³B₁) → SO₂(¹A₁) absorption spectra in which Brand and coworkers observe strong perturbations. It is suggested that the quenching in these cases results largely from the physical process involving potential energy surface crossing to another electronic state. Activation energies for SO₂(³B₁) quenching by the paraffinic hydrocarbons show a regular decrease in the series ethane, neopentane, propane, n-butane, cyclohexane, and isobutane, which parallels closely the decrease in C? H bond energies in these compounds. These and other data are most consistent with the dominance of chemical quenching in these cases. The rate constants for the olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons and nitric oxide show only very small variations with temperature change, and they are near the kinetic collision number. These data support the hypothesis that quenching in these cases is associated with the formation of a charge-transfer complex and subsequent chemical interactions between the SO₂(³B₁) molecule and the π-system of these compounds.     

Two derivatives of 1,5‐disubstituted tetrazoles: 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐amine and {(E)‐[1‐(4‐ethoxyphenyl)‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl]iminomethyl}dimethylamine

The geometric features of 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐amine, C₇H₆N₆O₂, correspond to the presence of the essential interaction of the 5‐amino group lone pair with the π system of the tetrazole ring. Intermolecular N—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds result in the formation of infinite chains running along the [110] direction and involve centrosymmetric ring structures with motifs R₂²(8) and R₂²(20). Molecules of {(E)‐[1‐(4‐ethoxyphenyl)‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl]iminomethyl}dimethylamine, C₁₂H₁₆N₆O, are essentially flattened, which facilitates the formation of a conjugated system spanning the whole molecule. Conjugation in the azomethine N=C—N fragment results in practically the same length for the formal double and single bonds.     

Electrochemical and mechanochemical formation of solid solutions of potassium copper(II)/zinc(II) hexacyanocobaltate(III)/hexacyanoferrate(III) KCu x Zn1-x [hcc] x [hcf]1-x

Electrochemical reduction/oxidation cycles of immobilised powder mixtures of KCu[hcc] and KZn[hcf] as well as their mechanical milling lead to the formation of a quaternary solid solution (mixed crystals) with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ on the nitrogen coordinated sites and Fe³⁺ and Co³⁺ on the carbon coordinated sites. The reaction products were studied by the X-ray diffractometry and voltammetric techniques. The formation of solid solutions of the general formula KCu_xZn_1-x[hcc]_x[hcf]_1-x is the first example of an electrochemical and mechanochemical reaction leading to mixed hexacyanometalates.Dedicated to Professor Dr. G. Horányi on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Metal-ion-dependent,Solvent-mediated Structural Transformation and Simultaneous Partial Transmetalation of an srs Framework into Desulfurization-efficient Co-Cu-HKUST-1

[Co₂(BTC)(Cl)(DMA)₃] ( 1 ) (BTC^3– = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate, DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide) obtained from the reaction between Co²⁺ and H₃BTC in DMA features a three-dimensional srs framework built of 3-connected {Co₂(COO)₃} as secondary building units and BTC^3– as spacers. When exposed to DMA solution of Cu(NO₃)₂, 1 was progressively transformed into the first heterometallic Co-Cu-HKUST-1 ([Co_0.14Cu_2.86(BTC)₂]) ( 2 ) of such kind via unusually solvent-mediated structural transformation and simultaneous partial transmetalation. While the mechanism for such conversion is proposed based on systematic studies, 2 was revealed to be an equally efficient desulfurization adsorbent as the homometallic Cu-HKUST-1 in removing thiophene (0.142 mmol S per gram of adsorbent). However, when exposed to Zn(NO₃)₂ solution in DMA for longer time, 1 retained its framework with limited metal-ion exchange, resulting in the formation of [Co_1.93Zn_0.07(BTC)(Cl)(DMA)₃] ( 3 ). Possible reasons responsible for the formation of 2 and 3 through different routes could be due to the less solubility and more thermodynamic stability of 2 in comparison with those of 1 , and the different coordination geometries which Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ prefer.     

High-level ab initio calculations on CH+2(2A1) + PO(2II) reactions

We present ab initio calculations carried out in the framework of the G 2 theory on the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces corresponding to the gas-phase between CH⁺₂ and PO. The global minimum of both potential energy surfaces is a cyclic singlet-state cation. Oxygen attachment of PO to CH⁺₂ in a triplet configuration is accompanied by a P(SINGLEBOND)O bond fission, with the result that the corresponding global minimum is an ion-dipole complex between P⁺(³P) and formaldehyde. This is also consistent with the fact that our results predict the formation of formaldehyde to be highly exothermic, either as a neutral or as radical cation. Both charge-transfer processes yielding CH₂(³B₁) or CH₂(¹A₁) are also exothermic. The formation of other carbon and oxygen containing species are endothermic. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electron transfer from α-aminoalkyl radicals to methyl viologen

The reactions of tert-butoxyl radicals with amines, leading to the formation of α-aminoalkyl radicals, and the reactions of these with the electron acceptor methyl viologen have been examined using laser flash photolysis techniques. For example, the radicals CH₃?HNEt₂ and HOCH₂?H N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂ react with methyl viologen with rate constants equal to (1.3 ± 0.1) × 10⁹ and (2.1 ± 0.4) × 10⁹M^?1 · s^?1, respectively, in wet acetonitrile at 300 K.     

Radical-initiated homopolymerization and copolymerization of ethyl α-hydroxymethylacrylate

Ethyl α-hydroxymethylacrylate (EHMA) was synthesized and homopolymerized in bulk and in solution. The poly(EHMA) is readily soluble in alcohol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, and methylene chloride at room temperature. Intramolecular lactone formation occurred when poly(EHMA) was heated to 180–230°C. The kinetics of EHMA homopolymerization was investigated in ethyl acetate, using α,α′-azobisisobutylonitrile as an initiator. The rate of polymerization R_p was expressed by R_p = k[AIBN]^0.50[EHMA]^1.4 and the overall activation energy was calculated as 71.9 kJ/mol. Kinetic constants for EHMA polymerization were obtained as follows: k_p/k = 0.17L^0.9mol^?0.9s^?0.5; 2fk_d = 1.5 × 10^?5 s^?1. The relative reactivity ratios of EHMA(M₂) copolymerization with styrene (r₁ = 0.472, r₂ = 0.564) in ethyl acetate were obtained. Applying the Q-e scheme led to Q = 0.84 and e = 0.35 for EHMA.     

Theoretical rotational-vibrational spectra of theX 3 B 1,a 1 A 1 andb 1 B 1 states of NH 2 +

Summary The three-dimensional potential energy functions have been calculated from highly correlated multireference configuration interaction electronic wavefunctions for theX ³ B ₁,a ¹ A ₁, andb ¹ B ₁ states of the NH ₂ ⁺ ion. For the quasi-linear electronic ground state this information and the electric dipole moment functions have been used to calculate spectroscopic constants, line intensities and rotationally resolved absorption spectra. For thea ¹ A ₁-b ¹ B ₁ bent/quasi-linear Renner-Teller system ro-vibronic energy levels have been obtained from a variational approach accounting for anharmonicity, rotation-vibration and electronic angular momenta coupling effects. The vibronic levels are given for energies up to 13 500 cm^–1 for the bending levels and up to 8000 cm^–1 for the stretching and combination levels.Dedicated in the honor of Prof. Werner Kutzelnigg     

The SO2(3B1) photosensitized isomerization of cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene

The photolysis of SO₂ at 3712 Å in the presence of the 1,2-dichloroethylenes has been investigated at 22deg;C. The data are consistent with the SO₂(³B₁) photosensitized isomerization of the 1,2-dichloroethylene isomer. A kinetic treatment of the initial quantum yield data was consistent with the formation of a polarized charge-transfer intermediate whenever SO₂(³B₁) molecules and one of the 1,2-dichloroethylene isomers collide which ultimately decays unimolecularly to the cis-isomer with a probability of 0.70 ± 0.26 and to the trans-isomer with a 0.37 ± 0.16 probability. Quenching rate constants for removal of SO₂(³B₁) molecules by cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene have been estimated from quantum yield data and from laser excited phosphorescence lifetimes using an excitation wavelength of 3130 Å. Estimates of the quenching rate constant (units of 1./mole ± sec) are for the cis-isomer, (1.63 ± 0.71) × 10¹⁰, quantum yield data, and (2.44 ± 0.11) × 10¹⁰, lifetime data; and for the trans-isomer,(2.59 ± 0.09)×10¹⁰, lifetime data, and (2.35 ±0.89) × 10¹⁰, quantum yield data. An experimentally determined photostationary composition,[cis-C₂Cl₂H₂]/[trans-C₂Cl₂H₂] = 1.8 - 0.1, was in good agreement with a value of 2.00 - 1.15 which was predicted from rate constants derived in this study.     

A pair of diastereomeric 1:1 salts of (S)‐ and (R)‐2‐methylpiperazine with (2S,3S)‐tartaric acid

The structures of diastereomeric pairs consisting of (S)‐ and (R)‐2‐methylpiperazine with (2S,3S)‐tartaric acid are both 1:1 salts, namely (S)‐2‐methylpiperazinium (2S,3S)‐tartrate dihydrate, C₅H₁₄N₂²⁺·C₄H₄O₆²⁻·2H₂O, (I), and (R)‐2‐methylpiperazinium (2S,3S)‐tartrate dihydrate, C₅H₁₄N₂²⁺·C₄H₄O₆²⁻·2H₂O, (II), which reveal the formation of well defined ammonium carboxylate salts linked via strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Unlike the situation in the more soluble salt (II), the alternating columns of tartrate and ammonium ions of the less soluble salt (I) are packed neatly in a grid around the a axis, which incorporates water molecules at regular intervals. The increased efficiency of packing for (I) is evident in its lower `packing coefficient', and the hydrogen‐bond contribution is stronger in the more soluble salt (II).     

The X˜1A1, a˜3B1, a˜1B˜1, and B˜1A1 electronic states of SiH2

Four electronically low-lying states of silylene (SiH₂) have been studied systematically using high level ab initio electronic structure theory. Self-consistent field (SCF), two-configuration (TC) SCF, complete active space (CAS) SCF, configuration interaction with single and double excitations (CISD), and CASSCF second-order (SO) CI levels of theory were employed with eight distinct basis sets. The zeroth-order wave functions of the ground (X˜ ¹A₁ or 1 ¹A₁) and B˜ ¹A₁ (or 2 ¹A₁) excited states are appropriately described by the first and second eigenvectors of the TCSCF secular equations. The TCSCF-CISD, CASSCF, and CASSCF-SOCI wave functions for the B˜ ¹A₁ (or 2 ¹A₁) state were obtained by following the second root of the CISD, CASSCF, and SOCI Hamiltonian matrices. At the highest level of theory, the CASSCF-SOCI method with the triple zeta plus triple polarization augmented with two sets of higher angular momentum functions and two sets of diffuse functions basis set [TZ3P(2f,2d)+2diff], the energy separation (T₀) between the ground (X˜ ¹A₁) and first excited (a˜ ³B₁) states is determined to be 20.5 kcal/mol (0.890eV,7180cm⁻¹), which is in excellent agreement with the experimental T₀ value of 21.0 kcal/mol (0.910eV,7340cm⁻¹). With the same method the T₀ value for the a˜ ¹B₁−X˜ ¹A₁ separation is predicted to be 45.1 kcal/mol (1.957 eV,15780 cm⁻¹), which is also in fine agreement with the experimental value of 44.4 kcal/mol (1.925 eV,15530 cm⁻¹). The T₀ value for the B˜ ¹A₁−X˜ ¹A₁ separation is determined to be 79.6 kcal/mol (3.452 eV,27 840 cm⁻¹). After comparison of theoretical and experimental T₀ values for the a˜ ³B₁ and a˜ ¹B₁ states and previous studies, error bars for the B˜ ¹A₁ state are estimated to be ±1.5 kcal/mol (±525 cm⁻¹). The predicted geometry of the B˜ ¹A₁ state is r_e(SiH)=1.458 and θ_e=162.3^∘. The physical properties including harmonic vibrational frequencies of the B˜ ¹A₁ state are newly determined. Received: 10 March 1997 / Accepted: 2 April 1997     

The Role of Singlet and Triplet Dioxygen Molecules in the EPR and 1H NMR Spectrum Line Broadening

In the Mo^(VI)/H₂O₂/H₂O system, the relaxation time (T ₁) of protons in a water molecule and in a CH₃ group decreases 10 to 30 times under conditions of dismutation of H₂O₂ with the formation of ¹O₂(¹_g). It is experimentally found that the overequilibrium concentration of triplet dioxygen cannot be the reason behind a decrease in T ₁ in the ¹H NMR spectra. Neither can it explain the anomalous line broadening in ESR spectra under conditions of ¹O₂(¹_g) formation in the systems V^(V)/H₂O₂/AcOH and Mo^(VI)/H₂O₂/H₂O. Ab initio calculations showed that it is principle possible that the ³O₄(³·^- _g-¹_g) molecule exists in a snake-like form and is formed by the reaction between ³O₂(³·^- _g) and ¹O₂(¹_g), which is the product of H₂O₂ decomposition in the systems V^(V)/H₂O₂/AcOH and Mo^(IV)/H₂O₂/H₂O. The interaction of ¹O₂ with the ·OOH radical is exothermic (Q = 2.30 kcal/mol) and leads to the formation of ·OOOOH. It is assumed that the paramagnetic species of type ·OOOOH or ³O₄(³ A ₁) that is formed in the reaction might be responsible for the spectral effects observed.     

Diversification of ortho‐Fused Cycloocta‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one Cores and Eight‐ to Six‐Ring Conversion by σ Bond C−C Cleavage

Sequential treatment of 2‐C₆H₄Br(CHO) with LiC≡CR¹ (R¹=SiMe₃, tBu), nBuLi, CuBr?SMe₂ and HC≡CCHClR² [R²=Ph, 4‐CF₃Ph, 3‐CNPh, 4‐(MeO₂C)Ph] at ?50 °C leads to formation of an intermediate carbanion (Z)‐1,2‐C₆H₄{C_A(=O)C≡C_BR¹}{CH=CH(CH^?)R²} ( 4 ). Low temperatures (?50 °C) favour attack at C_B leading to kinetic formation of 6,8‐bicycles containing non‐classical C‐carbanion enolates ( 5 ). Higher temperatures (?10 °C to ambient) and electron‐deficient R² favour retro σ‐bond C?C cleavage regenerating 4 , which subsequently closes on C_A providing 6,6‐bicyclic alkoxides ( 6 ). Computational modelling (CBS‐QB3) indicated that both pathways are viable and of similar energies. Reaction of 6 with H⁺ gave 1,2‐dihydronaphthalen‐1‐ols, or under dehydrating conditions, 2‐aryl‐1‐alkynylnaphthlenes. Enolates 5 react in situ with: H₂O, D₂O, I₂, allylbromide, S₂Me₂, CO₂ and lead to the expected C ‐E derivatives (E=H, D, I, allyl, SMe, CO₂H) in 49–64 % yield directly from intermediate 5 . The parents (E=H; R¹=SiMe₃, tBu; R²=Ph) are versatile starting materials for NaBH₄ and Grignard C=O additions, desilylation (when R¹=SiMe) and oxime formation. The latter allows formation of 6,9‐bicyclics via Beckmann rearrangement. The 6,8‐ring iodides are suitable Suzuki precursors for Pd‐catalysed C?C coupling (81–87 %), whereas the carboxylic acids readily form amides under T3P® conditions (71–95 %).     

Complex formation between chlorine dioxide and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl

The complex formation of ClO₂ with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TMPO) in acetone, acetonitrile,n-heptane, diethyl ether, carbon tetrachloride, and toluene was studied spectrophotometrically at −20 to +20 °C. The thermodynamic parameters of complex formation were determined at 20 °C. The transformation of the complex into the oxoammonium salt TMPO⁺ClO ₂ ⁻ was found. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1703–1706, October, 2000.     

Stereoselectivity in Reactions of Metal Complexes. Part XIV.. Use of circular dichroism to determine the stereoselective formation of [M(his)2] and [M(PhEt-sal)2] (M = Ni2+, Cu2+, his = histidine,PhEt-sal = N-(1-phenylethyl)salicylaldimine)

The stereoselective formation of the 1:2 complexes [M(his)₂] and [M(PhEt-sal)₂] (M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, PhEt-sal = N-(1-phenylethyl)salicylaldimine) has been determined by circular dichroism (CD) measurements. Stereoselectivity, defined as S = K_meso/2K_rac' has been found to be 2.48 for [Ni(his)₂], corresponding to a 21% excess of the mixed species relative to the statistical amount. This value is temperature-independent between 15 and 35°. Whereas the absence of stereoselectivity in the formation of [Cu(prol)₂] is confirmed, weak stereoselectivity is observed for [Cu(his)₂] (2% excess of the mixed species). The CD intensity of the latter complex strongly depends on temperature and decreases by 12%, when the temperature is increased from 15 to 35°. Small but significant stereoselectivity is found for the formation of the Schiff-base complexes [Ni(PhEt-sal)₂] and [Cu(PhEt-sal)₂] in acetone with 1.0% and 2.4% excess, respectively, of the mixed species over the statistical value.