Optically active transition metal compounds, 116 - Bond lengths Co-C(CO), Co-N(NO) and angles L-Co-C(CO), L-Co-N(NO) in tetrahedral complexes

The bond lengths Co-C(CO), Co-N(NO) and angles L-Co-C(CO), L-Co-N(NO) in six tetrahedral complexes. determined by X-ray crystallography, were analysed and compared with the calculated compound Co(CO)(2)(NO)PH3. Distinct differences were found which allow a differentiation of the two similar ligands CO and NO. These differences are used to assign CO and NO Ligands in cases where this has not been possible before including a structure in which the two independent molecules in the unit cell are diastereomers. The relationship seems to hold not only for tetrahedral compounds but also for other polyhedral coordination types.