Electrochemical synthesis and crystal structure of zinc(II) complexes with N2N′2S2 amide–thioether hexadentate ligands

Three novel complexes of zinc with hexadentate amide–thioether ligands were synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of zinc in dichloromethane–methanol solution. These compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of two complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, indicating that, the metal atom is in a distorted octahedral environment with amide–thioether ligand acting as a hexadentate N2N′2S2 donor.

Graphical abstractThree neutral zinc complexes of hexadentate amide–thioether ligands have been synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of anodic zinc metal in dichloromethane–methanol solution of H2L. The structural studies of ZnL1 and ZnL2 complexes reveal that the deprotonated dianionic (N2N′2S2) ligands are coordinated to the Zn(II) center in hexadentate fashion, each NN′S-coordinating half spanning meridionally.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Electrochemical synthesis of Zn(II) complexes with hexadentate amide–thioethers. ► The new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectra. ► The crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. ► The Zn2+ ion is coordinated by an intact hexadentate ligand, in its deprotonated form. ► The ZnN2N′2S2 is distorted octahedral with each NN′S-coordinating half spanning meridionally.