Charge-transfer excited state properties of chiral transition metal coordination compounds studied by chiroptical spectroscopy

Chiroptical properties of chiral coordination compounds can be used to assi gn absolute configuration of ground and excited states. We discuss examples of transition metal complexes where MLCT, LMCT, MMCT and exciton LCT trans itions have been observed. Such models are dimolybdenum complexes, cyclomet allated Pt and Pd complexes, helicates, and complexes with Schiff-bases, co njugated diimines, catecholates and hydroxamates as ligands. The theoretica l methods to assign configurations, i.e. comparison methods, exciton theory or quantum mechanical calculations, are reviewed and shown for selected ex amples. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.