Abstract

Cobalt complexes formed from 2,2’-bipyridine (bpy) have been used to study electron transfer mechanisms, facilitate redox reactions in solar cells, and catalyze the reduction of alkynes. However, there is comparatively less research into the preparation and use of functionalized cobalt-bpy complexes, notably those that could serve as reactants for additional chemical synthesis. In this research, a scheme for the synthesis and characterization of the as-yet unreported functionalized complex [Co(4-brbpy)3]3+ (4-brbpy = 4-bromo-2,2’-bipyridine) is proposed. The synthesis of this complex resembles that previously published for the related complex [Co(4-fbpy)3]3+ (4-fbpy = 4-fluoro-2,2’-bipyridine) with modifications to the scheme developed over time. Characterization of the synthesized product is carried out by ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) absorption spectrophotometry and primarily by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Analysis of 1H NMR spectra and accompanying COSY spectra suggest the precipitated solid product is the target [Co(4-brbpy)3]3+ complex. Spectroscopic measurements of [Co(4-brbpy)3] 3+ are compared to those of the unfunctionalized complex [Co(bpy)3]3+ to understand how functionalization of the bpy ligand changes the δ1H properties of these complexes.

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