Stereochemistry of Four-coordinate Chelate Compounds of Schiff Bases and Their Analogues

The problem of the configuration of the chelate group and the metal ring in chelates of transition metals with Schiff bases and their analogues is discussed, and the influence of various factors analysed, in particular the nature of the central metal atom and the steric and electronic effects of the ligands. Various types of conformational changes in conjugated metal rings in bicyclic and tricyclic chelates are surveyed, and factors influencing these changes are noted. The conformation of the non-conjugated metal rings in tricyclic chelates is discussed. A list of 188 references is included.