Anion effects on the crystal structures of ZnII complexes containing 2,2′-bipyridine: Their photoluminescence and catalytic activities

Six new structures of ZnII complexes containing 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy) ligands have been determined. Halide anions were used as simple coordinating ligands to form a tetrahedral environment around the ZnII ion. Nitrate and benzoate anions were used as chelating ligands to form an octahedral environment. For non-coordinating ClO4- and bridging SO42- anions, three 2,2′-bpy ligands chelate ZnII to form an octahedral environment, and both ClO4- and SO42- anions occupy empty positions between the metal cations for charge balance. Polymeric structures of the ZnII–2,2′-bpy complexes are produced by hydrogen bonding. [Zn(2,2′-bpy)(O2CC6H5)2] catalyzed efficiently the transesterification reaction of esters with methanol under the neutral conditions, while the remaining compounds showed very slow conversions.

Graphical abstractSix new structures of ZnII complexes containing 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy) ligands have been determined, and polymeric structures of ZnII–2,2′-bpy complexes can be produced by hydrogen bonding. Zn(2,2′-bpy)(O2CC6H5)2] catalyzed efficiently the transesterification reaction of esters with methanol under the neutral conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Six new structures of ZnII complexes containing 2,2′-bpy ligands have been determined. ► [Zn(2,2′-bpy)(O2CC6H5)2] catalyzed efficiently the transesterification of esters with methanol. ► The anion effect plays a very important role in the construction of the crystal structures.