Stereodynamic coordination complexes. Dependence of exciton coupled circular dichroism spectra on molecular conformation and shape

Chiral amino alcohols, amino ethers, and amino thioethers were converted to tetradentate ligands by alkylation with a variety of chromophore-bearing alkyl heterocycles. Copper(II) complexes of the ligands display conformational diastereomerism in solution. The resultant propeller-shaped compounds were characterized by a variety of techniques, including exciton coupled circular dichroism (ECCD). Three X-ray crystal structures of complexes are described that partially support structural assignments, but also suggest that solid state structures are not always indicative of solution species. Thus, ECCD may in some cases provide data that is strongly complimentary to X-ray crystallography. These results are presented in a larger context of coordination complexes that display dynamic behavior that can be studied by chiroptical spectroscopy. Keywords. Chirality; Circular dichroism; Optical properties; UV-Vis spectroscopy; X-Ray structure determination.