Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-chemistry-b-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2022/paper-2/b6/b/iv/solution
Past exam of the chemistry B course of the University of Cambridge 2022 Paper 2 B6 b iv Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
Treat each semiquinonate ligand as a symmetric O,O chelate, with the free radical delocalized over the dioxolene framework. The ideal octahedral donor-connectivity structures are one trans form and two mirror-related cis forms, giving three stereoisomers. Trans refers to the two pyridine N donors, not to the two O atoms of a chelate, which must remain adjacent.
In the diagram, coloured curves join the two O donors belonging to one ligand. For an unambiguous coordinate specification, the trans form has Py at , with chelate pairs and . A cis pair has Py at , with chelates and ; reflecting gives the other cis form. Proper rotations cannot superpose those two cis arrangements. Ring conformations and pyridine rotations are not extra donor-connectivity isomers.
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