CHAPTER 3: Question 4

 

3D explanations

The compound is chiral. The stereogenic element is a stereocentre at the nitrogen atom shown in red below. This nitrogen atom is surrounded by four bond pairs of electrons, three of which are normal covalent bonds to which the nitrogen atom donates one electron, and the remaining bond (the co-ordination bond to the cobalt atom) for which the nitrogen atom provides both electrons (the electrons which would otherwise form a lone pair of electrons). Hence, the bond geometry around the nitrogen atom will be tetrahedral, and since the four substituents are all different, the nitrogen atom will be a stereocentre. Note: the cobalt atom is not a stereocentre in this molecule.
         
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