Two different series of C-1-symmetric tris(2-pyridyl)methane tripod ligands
were synthesized with pyridin-2-yl, 6-phenylpyridin-2-yl and 6-methoxy- or
6-menthyloxypyridin-2-yl substitutents. The menthoxy devivatives were reso
lved with respect to the bridging carbon atom by chromatography. In reactio
ns with CuCl2 and RhCl3 complexes were obtained which could be analyzed by
X-ray crystallography. In the formation of the Rh complex an ortho-metallat
ion of the 6-phenyl substituent occurred giving rise to a Delta/Lambda -ele
ment of chirality. Whereas the chiral tripod ligand conferred a stable conf
iguration to the Rh atom, a fast equilibration of the Delta- and Lambda -is
omers was observed.