Linkage isomerism

[1] The complex cis-dichlorotetrakis(dimethylsulfoxide)ruthenium(II) (RuCl2(dmso)4) exhibits linkage isomerism of dimethyl sulfoxide ligands due to S- vs. O-bonding.

Trans-dichlorotetrakis(dimethylsulfoxide)ruthenium(II) does not exhibit linkage isomers.

Linkage isomerism was first noted for nitropentaamminecobalt(III) chloride, [Co(NH3)5(NO2)]2+.

This cationic cobalt complex can be isolated as either of two linkage isomers.

In the red linkage isomer, the nitrito is bound through one oxygen atom.

Structures of the two linkage isomers of [Co(NH 3 ) 5 (NO 2 )] 2+ .