Elucidation of Solution State Structures of CoCl2 in Assorted Lewis Basic Solvents

Abstract

CoCl2 is readily solubilized in a variety of Lewis basic solvents. While the aqueous structure is commonly known, [Co(H2O)6]Cl2, identification of exact coordination sphere geometry and species has not been fully elucidated for any other solvents. Spectrophotometric data has been combined with an extensive computational analysis to deduce most probable solution state structures in acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, glyme, methanol, and pyridine for both cationic and anionic species. Crystallographic approaches have also been utilized anion exchange to attempt isolation of cationic complexes as tetraphenylborate salts