trans-Bis(ethylenediamine)dinitrocobalt(III) perchlorate

The reaction of cobalt(II) perchlorate with ethylenediamine and sodium nitrite in aqueous solution gave the title Co III compound, [Co(NO 2 ) 2 (C 2 H 8 N 2 ) 2 ]ClO 4 , as yellow crystals. The complex crystallizes in three different conformations in the asymmetric unit, two on centers with 1 symmetry and one in a general position. Numerous hydrogen bonds occur between molecules, but most are quite weak. The ethylenediamine N atoms occupy the equatorial sites with the NO 2 ions bonded in axial positions. The NO 2 moieties nearly eclipse a pair of trans amine-N atoms in one independent molecule [O-N-Co-N angles range from -1.4(6) to 4.3 (5)°], while they bisect the N-Co-N angle in the other two [O-N-Co-N angles range from -44.8 (6) to 52.1 (5)°].