Chelating effect in 4(5)-hydroxymethyl-5(4)-methylimidazole complexes

Light pink crystal of composition [Co(4-CH2OH-5-CH3im)4](NO3)2 (where 4-CH2OH-5-CH3im denotes 4-hydroxymethyl-5-methylimidazole) were obtained from 2-propanol. The complex has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray as well as by electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. The immediate surrounding of the central ion is made up of four nitrogen atoms of the heterocyclic rings and two oxygen atoms of the hydroxymethyl group (CoN4O2 chromophore) The shape of the coordination polyhedron of the cobalt(II) ion is that of a slightly distorted octahedral.