Geometric Isomers of Cobalt(II) and Cobalt(III) Picolinates in Solution

Cobalt complexes with picolinic acid (HPic), namely, [Co^II(Pic)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O (I) and [Co^III(Pic)₃] · H₂O (II) are studied using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Compound Iexists in solution as three geometric isomers, namely, trans-trans-trans, cis-trans-cis, and trans-cis-cis(molar ratio 4 : 2 : 1, respectively). According to ¹³C NMR data, compound IIexists in solution as a mer-isomer. The relative energy stability of the isomers was estimated using the molecular mechanics method.