Chiral heterocyclic ligands. XVI: Synthesis and crystal structures of four metal complexes of a tridentate,biheterocyclic ligand derived from l-cysteine

The readily available homochiral ligand (1) was used to prepare four mononuclear nickel and cobalt complexes with a 2:1 ligand:metal ratio. X-ray crystal structures of these revealed that in all cases the N,N,O-tridentate ligand adopts facial coordination to the metal with the pyridine rings trans-disposed and the carboxylate and amine groups cis. The individual crystal structures of these compounds differ significantly in the way the complexes pack, which is mediated by hydrogen bonding involving the cations, anions and water molecules as well as, in one case, π-stacking.