“…[1,7,17] A similar conformation has also been found in the phenanthroline-substituted cations [Pd(3-Rphen) 2 ] 2+ (α = 18.8 and 23.2°, for R = iPr and nBu, respectively), [8] and in the platinum(ii) complex [Pt(phen) 2 ][Cl] 2 · 3H 2 O (α = 20.9°). [18] On the other hand, in the case of [Pd(phen) 2 ][PF 6 ] 2 , the repulsive interactions are partly alleviated by a bending on opposite sides of the π 1 , π 2 and π 1 Ј, π 2 Ј planes (dihedral angles β, βЈ) giving rise to a step geometry (α = 0°, β = βЈ = 16.2°), with the five-membered rings in an envelope conformation. [4] This deformation is accompanied by a tilting, towards the same side, of the π 3 , π 4 planes (dihedral angle γ = 13.4°) so that each phen ligand exhibits a bow conformation, and the cation acquires an overall bow-step shape.…”