Abstract: The absolute asymmetric synthesis of the title complexes Λ-(+)D-cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2(1) and Δ-(-)D-cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2(2)(en=1,2-ethylenediamine) as well as the improved optical resolution of cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2·2H2O(3) are described in detail. The products were characterized by means of elemental analysis, TG-DTA, optical rotation, UV-Vis, and CD spectra. The distribution of enantiomeric excess(ee) of cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2 in the absolute asymmetric synthesis was obtained by the measurements of their CD spectra. It was found that the complete resolution of rac-cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2·2H2Owas achieved by use of NH4(d-BCS) (ammonium d-α-bromocamphor-π-sulfonate) or NH4(l-BCS) while NH4(dl-BCS) could only be partially resolved by chiral cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2 at the same condition. It is deduced that there are notable differences in the chiral discrimination of the reciprocal resolution between cis-[CoBr(NH3)(en)2]Br2 and NH4BCS.Moreover, a new“catalysis-crystal induction”mechanismin the preparation of the chiral Co(III) complex is put forward.

Key words: Absolute asymmetric synthesis;Chiral symmetry breaking;Chiral cobalt(III) complex, Optical resolution;CD spectra;Chiral discrimination