1 M LiCl (k (6amaj+ 6amin)= 5.7 (2) sl) and 1 M DCl (k (6a,, j+ 6a, in)= 7.1 (1) sI) at 80 OC. We thereforeconclude that interconversion of the two diastereoisomers of 2 takes place by a regular mechanism that involves atropisomerization of the 72-1, l'-biisoquinoline ligand via a syn transition state.