Cooperative Formation of Trinuclear Zinc(II) Complexes via Complexation of a Tetradentate Oxime Chelate Ligand, Salamo, and Zinc(II) Acetate

Novel trinuclear zinc(II) complexes [Zn3L2(OAc)2] (L = salamo,
3-MeOsalamo) were synthesized, and their structures were
determined by X-ray crystallography. Ligation of methoxy groups
in the salamo ligand causes a significantly different coordination
mode of the central zinc atom in the trinuclear system. The
complexes between the salamo ligands and zinc(II) in methanol
formed exclusively and very cooperatively. In contrast to other imine
ligands, the mononuclear [ZnL] and other complexes are not
observed at all.