A comparison of vanadyl acetylacetonate complexes of N2O heteroscorpionate ligands that vary systematically in donor set

We have successfully prepared a series of vanadyl complexes with N2O heteroscorpionate ligands and have characterized their cis and trans geometrical isomers both in solution and the solid state. The major difference between the isomers, and between the various oxygen atom donors of the N2O scorpionate ligands, is in their redox potentials which can span almost a volt for this ostensively similar set of compounds. Such data may be useful in screening vanadium complexes for potential biological activity.