Zinc carboxylate complexes: structural characterisation of some binuclear and linear trinuclear complexes

The preparation and structural characteristics of nine air-stable binuclear zinc(II) carboxylate complexes together with 13 air-stable linear trinuclear complexes of general formula [Zn2M(carboxylate)6(base)2] where MII= Zn, Co, Ni, Cd, Mg, or Ca are reported. The crystal structure of the parent binuclear complex [Zn2(MeCHCHCO2)4(C9H7N)2](C9H7N = quinoline) has been determined. The main feature of interest is the flexibility of the tetracarboxylate framework which can bridge across a wide range of metal–metal distances (e.g. Zn ⋯ Zn 2.976 A in this complex).