We have determined the experimental charge density of
the title compound, a large pendant arm macrocyclic
complex, by fitting a multipole model to high-resolution X-ray
diffraction data. We find redistribution of the
charge
density from the ligating nitrogen and oxygen atoms to the central
nickel ion which considerably reduces the charge
on the metal. While the d-orbital populations are in agreement
with ligand-field theory, the charge density of the
metal shows diffuse features which are ascribed to metal 4s and 4p
participation in the metal−ligand bonding.
Additionally, the trigonal-planar arrangement of critical points
in −∇2ρ(r) within the valence shell
charge concentration
(VSCC) of the ligating oxygen atom provides evidence for metal−oxygen
π-bonding.
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