Synthesis and co-ordination chemistry of tris(picolyl-2-carboxyamido-6-pyridyl) methanol: A ligand with a strong preference for trigonal prismatic geometries

The new tripodal ligand tris(picolyl-2-carboxyamido-6-pyridyl) methanol (L1) has been synthesised via a Pd-catalysed amidocarbonylation reaction in good yield (64%). The ligand has been shown to readily form mononuclear complexes with both Fe(II) and Zn(II). Continuous Shape Mapping calculations have also been performed which confirm the ligands ability to enforce near-perfect trigonal prismatic co-ordination environments upon each of these metal ions.

Graphical abstractThe new tripodal ligand tris(picolyl-2-carboxyamido-6-pyridyl) methanol (L1) forms near-perfect trigonal prismatic complexes with Fe(II) and Zn(II) salts.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► High yielding Pd catalysed carbonylation reaction for multidentate tripodal ligands. ► Near-perfect trigonal prismatic complexes from an ennea-dentate tripodal ligand. ► An example of how the geometry of six co-ordinate high-spin Fe(II) complexes is determined by steric factors.