Anion effects on construction of ZnII compounds with a chelating ligand bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and their catalytic activities

► [Zn(bispicam)2]X2 complexes (X = Cl−, Br−, I−, NO3−, ClO4−, and OTf−) have been obtained. ► They showed fac geometric isomers or enantiomers according to anions. Anion effects play very important roles for construction of crystal structures and geometrical isomerism. ► They could carry out the catalytic transesterification of a range of esters with methanol.