Bond Lengths Co–C(CO), Co–N(NO) and Angles L–Co–C(CO), L–Co–N(NO) in Tetrahedral Complexes⋆

Abstract

The bond lengths Co–C(CO), Co–N(NO) and angles L–Co–C(CO), L–Co–N(NO) in six tetrahedral complexes, determined by X-ray crystallography, were analysed and compared with the calculated compound Co(CO)2(NO)PH3. Distinct differences were found which allow a differentiation of the two similar ligands CO and NO. These differences are used to assign CO and NO ligands in cases where this has not been possible before including a structure in which the two independent molecules in the unit cell are diastereomers. The relationship seems to hold not only for tetrahedral compounds but also for other polyhedral coordination types.