Crystalline Research on Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) Quasiracemates Containing Chiral 4-X-Benzoylalanines
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Mark Whitener
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
26-4-2024 12:15 PM
Description
This research assignment focuses on crystallography and quasiracemate chemistry. A quasiracemate is composed of two molecules: one having an ‘R’ configured chiral center, and the opposing having an ‘S’ configured chiral center. Additionally, both molecules contain a variable functional group. While racemates possess the same functional group on both molecules, quasiracemates have differing functional groups that are similar in size and shape, but chemically different. This work studies the effect of a slight alteration in molecular shape on crystal packing. We hypothesize that similarly sized and shaped molecules should form similar crystal structures. The investigation of this factor can result in better understanding of how crystals form, and may lead to creation of crystals with tailor-made properties. Previous researchers used organic molecules to form quasiracemates with molecules arranged about approximate inversion centers. In this laboratory, we previously employed four coordinate copper(II) centers to form quasiracemates. Within our present work, we are incorporating six coordinate nickel(II) and cobalt(II) hexa-imidazole complexes. These octahedral complexes contain an inversion center at the metal. Racemic and quasiracemic anions with varying substituents selected from -NO2, -Cl, -Br, and -CH3 serve as counterions to the (+2) metal complex. Suitable crystals have been sent for X-ray analysis to have their molecular structures determined. We will compare the structures of quasiracemic and racemic metal complexes to evaluate how shape determines crystal packing. We anticipate that the similarly shaped molecules will pack in an iso-structural manner, and if this is not the case, we will attempt to further asses why.
Crystalline Research on Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) Quasiracemates Containing Chiral 4-X-Benzoylalanines
This research assignment focuses on crystallography and quasiracemate chemistry. A quasiracemate is composed of two molecules: one having an ‘R’ configured chiral center, and the opposing having an ‘S’ configured chiral center. Additionally, both molecules contain a variable functional group. While racemates possess the same functional group on both molecules, quasiracemates have differing functional groups that are similar in size and shape, but chemically different. This work studies the effect of a slight alteration in molecular shape on crystal packing. We hypothesize that similarly sized and shaped molecules should form similar crystal structures. The investigation of this factor can result in better understanding of how crystals form, and may lead to creation of crystals with tailor-made properties. Previous researchers used organic molecules to form quasiracemates with molecules arranged about approximate inversion centers. In this laboratory, we previously employed four coordinate copper(II) centers to form quasiracemates. Within our present work, we are incorporating six coordinate nickel(II) and cobalt(II) hexa-imidazole complexes. These octahedral complexes contain an inversion center at the metal. Racemic and quasiracemic anions with varying substituents selected from -NO2, -Cl, -Br, and -CH3 serve as counterions to the (+2) metal complex. Suitable crystals have been sent for X-ray analysis to have their molecular structures determined. We will compare the structures of quasiracemic and racemic metal complexes to evaluate how shape determines crystal packing. We anticipate that the similarly shaped molecules will pack in an iso-structural manner, and if this is not the case, we will attempt to further asses why.