Cr(III)-Tetraaza Macrocyclic Complexes Containing Auxiliary Ligands (Part II); Synthesis and Characterization of Cr(III)-Citrato Macrocyclic Complex

The reaction of cis-[Cr([14]-decane)(OH$_2)_2]^+$ ([14]-decane = rac-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-teraazacyclotetradecane) with auxiliary ligands {$L_a$ = citrate(cit)} leads to a new dimeric complex cis-[{Cr([14]-decane)($\mu$-cit)}$_2](ClO_4)_2$. This binuclear complex has been structurally characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, conductivity, IR and Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Analysis of the crystal structure of cis-[{Cr([14]-decane)($\mu$-cit)})($_2]^+$ reveals that each chromium has a distorted octahedral coordination environment and citrato ligands are monodentate to the two chromium atoms via the carboxyl groups. For dimeric complex the bridging geometry is as follows: Cr$\ldots$Cr = 7.361 $\AA$; Cr-O(average) = 1.958 (8) $\AA$; Cr-N range = 2.108 (9)-2.147(9) $\AA$; N(1)-Cr-N(3) (equatorial position) = 98.0(4)$^{\circ}$; N(2)-Cr-N(4) (axial position) = 166.4(4)$^{\circ}$; O(1)-Cr-N(2) = 98.1(4)$^{\circ}$; O(3)-Cr-N(4) = 96.6(3)$^{\circ}$; O(1)-Cr-O(3) = 90.4$^{\circ}$. The FAB mass spectrum of the dimeric complex displays peak due to the molecular ions cis-[{Cr([14]-decane)($\mu$-cit)})($_2]^+$ at m/z 1053.