The Chemistry of the Halogen Azides

Automated Crystal Structure Determination Has its Pitfalls: Correction to the Crystal Structures of Iodine Azide

Previously published crystal structure determinations of two modifications of iodine azide (IN₃ ) are corrected. In the original determinations, the very weak X-ray reflections with odd k Miller indices had been discarded, resulting in too small unit cells and models with misordered, partly occupied atomic positions. Using the original diffraction data, refinements with the correct unit cells yield structures of polymeric (-I-N₃ -)_n chains that are interlocked to layers. A skilled look at the primary X-ray data is always recommended to overcome the lack of crystallographic expertise of computers at automated structure determinations.

Reactivity of Osmium(VI) Nitrides with the Azide Ion. A New Synthetic Route to Osmium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes

There is an extensive reactivity chemistry between trans-[Os(VI)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(N)](+) (1) (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) and N(3)(-). Reaction of 1 with N(3)(-) in CH(2)Cl(2) or acetone occurs by electron transfer to give trans,trans-(tpy)(Cl)(2)Os(II)(N(2))Os(II)(Cl)(2)(tpy). In CH(3)CN, trans-Os(II)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(N(2)) forms but undergoes solvolysis to give trans-Os(II)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(CH(3)CN). 1 reacts with excess N(3)(-) in CH(3)CN to give Os(III)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(5-CH(3)-tetrazolate), which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. This is the first known Os-tetrazolato complex. 1 reacts with N(3)(-) in the presence of CS(2) to give trans-[Os(II)(tpy)(Cl)(2)(NS)](+), SCN(-), and N(2).