Isolation and characterisation of stereoisomers in di- and tri-nuclear complexes

Abstract

A number of synthetic methodologies have recently been developed for polymetallic supramolecular assemblies, commonly without consideration of the stereochemistry of the component octahedral metal centres. This review discusses stereochemical aspects of ligand-bridged di- and tri-nuclear complexes, with an emphasis on those involving ruthenium(II) octahedral metal centres coordinated to bidentate N-heterocyclic ligands. It examines recent studies devoted to the isolation of individual stereoisomers of such complexes using both stereoselective synthetic procedures through precursors with pre-determined chiralities and/or chromatographic techniques. The characterisation of the stereoisomers is also addressed.