Synthesis and characterisation of some metal complexes of hybrid phosphorus-nitrogenligands: the crystal structure of 1-(diphenylphosphino)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethane cobalt(II) chloride

Some iron(II), cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes of the hybrid ligand 1-(diphenylphosphino)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethane (dppe) and diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine (dppp) have been synthesised and characterised. Analyses suggest tetrahedral structures in which the metal atoms are bonded to two chlorine atoms and to both phosphorus and nitrogen atoms for 1-(diphenylphosphino)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethane on one hand and on the other hand, bonding is through the nitrogen atoms of two molecules of diphenyl-2-pyridylphosphine, which acts as a monodentate ligand. The crystal structure of 1-(diphenylphosphino)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethane cobalt(II) chloride shows a pseudo-tetrahedral structure in which the aminophosphine is bonded to the cobalt centre through both the phosphorus and nitrogen atoms, forming a 6-membered ring. KEY WORDS: Aminophosphines, Metal complexes, Cobalt(II) complex, Crystal structure Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008 , 22(2), 253-260.