Origins of stereoselectivity in optically pure phenylethaniminopyridine tris-chelates M(NN′)3n+ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Zn)

One-pot reactions of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, chiral phenylethanamines and Fe(ii) give single diastereomer fac diimine complexes at thermodynamic equilibrium so that no chiral separations are required (d.r. 200 : 1). The origins of this stereoselectivity are partly steric and partly a result of the presence of three sets of inter-ligand parallel-offset [small pi]-stacking interactions. Mn(ii), Co(ii), Co(iii), Ni(ii) and Zn(ii) give similar fac structures, alongside the imidazole analogues for Fe(ii). While most of the complexes are paramagnetic, the series of molecular structures allows us to assess the influence of the [small pi]-stacking present, and there is a strong correlation between this and the M-N bond length. Fe(ii) is close to optimal. For the larger Zn(ii) ion, very weak [small pi]-stacking leads to poorer measured stereoselectivity (NMR) but this is improved with increased solvent polarity. The mechanism of stereoselection is further investigated via DFT calculations, chiroptical spectroscopy and the use of synthetic probes.