Laser induced optical activity of acido complexes of cobalt(III) and chromium(III)

Abstract

Irradiation of racemic octahedral complexes of Cobalt(III) and Chromium(III) with a laser beam at wavelengths close to the maximum of circular dichroism bands resulted in induction of optical activity in the complexes. In the case of trisoxalato Co III, Cr III and di-μ-hydroxy tetraxalato dicobaltate(III) photostationary states were attained within an hour with respect to induced optical activity. The induction of optical activity has been interpreted as due to the dissymmetry factor. The extent of photoresolution amounts to a few per cent in these complexes.