Probing the Coordination Chemistry of N-2-Pyridylimidoyl-2-pyridylamidine: A Versatile Ligand with Multiple Coordination Sites

The research presented herein focuses on controlling the coordination environment of Mn, Fe, and Co in coordination complexes with the ligand N -2-pyridylimidoyl-2-pyridylamidine ( Py 2 ImAm ), which possesses both a bidentate and tridentate coordinating site. The synthesis and characterization of seven new metallic complexes are described, and these results indicate that the key factor dictating which coordination site of Py 2 ImAm the metal ion prefers is the presence (or absence) of a weak acid. More specifically, the presence of a weak acid directs the metal ion to the tridentate site of Py 2 ImAm, while neutral or basic conditions lead to coordination complexes in which the metal center is bound to the bidentate pocket.