Central phenolate oxygen atom

During the electrochemically switched process, the iron center remains bound to the central phenolate oxygen atom, which acts as a hook. On consecutive oxidation and reduction, the hung metal ion swings from one compartment to the other, following a pendular motion. Probably due to the beneficial assistance of the central phenolate oxygen atom, the translocation... 

Structure of the ion pair of tetraalkyl-ammonium picrate was calculated by molecular mechanics (MM2) with a help of CAShe system. The estimated structure of ion pair of tetraoctylammonium picrate is shown in Fig. 2. Similar structures were obtained for other te-traalkylammoniums. The linear chain of alkyl groups spread tetrahedrally from central nitrogen atom (left hand moiety of Fig. 2). The phenolate oxygen of picrate ion (right hand moiety of Fig. 2) is in contact with central part of ammonium ion. 

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