Hexammine Nickel Complex: Cooperative Rotation of Six NH₃Groups

Abstract

Electrostatic interactions between NH3 groups undergoing a correlated rotation are calculated with reference to the nickel hexammine complexesThe results demonstrate the angular dependence of the cis and trans arrangements of the model ammonia triangles. The previously defined four maxima and four minima are identified.

Artificial Molecular Rotors

“…Stankowski et al have studied rotations in [Ni(NH 3 ) 6 ](BF 4 ) 2 and found a T c approaching room temperature, which agrees with specific heat measurements . Sczaniecki found four angular minima and four angular maxima in an electrostatic calculation of a model compound comprised of six NH 3 groups as a function of the correlated rotation of all the protons. Even though such a correlated system might find use in a nanoscience application, these compounds suffer from low stability, even at room temperature.…”