Sterically variable dizinc complexes bearing bis(iminopyridyl)phenolate ligands: synthesis, structures and reactivity studies.

A series of chiral dizinc complexes of the type [(2,6-{ArN=C(Me)C5H3N}2C6H3O)Zn2(micro-Cl)Cl2] [Ar=2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (), 2,4,6-Me3-C6H2 (), 2,4-Me2C6H3 ()] can be conveniently prepared in good yield by the template reaction of 2,6-{O=C(Me)C5H3N}2C6H3OH with an excess of the corresponding aniline and two equivalents of zinc dichloride in n-BuOH at elevated temperature. Alternatively, the pro-ligands, 2,6-{(ArN=C(Me)C5H3N}2C6H3OH [Ar=2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (L1-H), 2,6-Me2C6H3 (L2-H), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (L3-H), 2,4-Me2C6H3 (L4-H)], can be isolated and then treated with two equivalents of zinc dichloride to afford . Interaction of with two equivalents of NaOAc in the presence of TlBF4 gives the diacetate-bridged salt [(L1)Zn2(micro-OAc)2](BF4) () while with Nadbm (dbm=dibenzoylmethanato) the bis(dbm)-chelated salt [(L1)Zn2(dbm)2](BF4) () is obtained. Hydrolysis occurs on reaction of with TlOEt to furnish [(L1)Zn2(micro-OH)Cl2] () as the only isolable product. Conversely, reaction of with Tlhp (hp=2-pyridonate) affords the neutral bis(pyridonate)-bridged trimetallic complex [(L1)Zn3(micro-hp)2Cl3] () as the major product along with as the minor one. Complex and mixtures of / act as modest activators for the ring-opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on , , , , and reveal Zn...Zn separations in the range: 3.069(4)-4.649(6) A.