Metastable Linkage Isomerism in [Ni(Et₄dien)(NO₂)₂]: A Combined Thermal and Photocrystallographic Structural Investigation of a Nitro/Nitrito Interconversion

Abstract

One way or another: The N‐bound NO2 group in [Ni(Et4dien)(η2‐O,ON)(η1‐NO2)] (see structure Ni turquoise, N blue, O red) has been shown to undergo reversible conversion into the O‐bound nitrito linkage isomer under both thermal and photoactivation of a single crystal. Et4dien=N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethyldiethylenetriamine.