Synthesis and Structural Studies of Group 12 Oxazoline-Enolate Coordination Complexes of (Z)-1-R-2-(4’,4’-Dimethyl-2’-oxazolin-2’-yl)-eth-1-en-1-ates; Part I: the Zinc Derivatives

The synthesis and characterisation (IR, NMR, HR-MS, X-ray crystallography) of six oxazoline Zn complexes, containing enolate ligands derived from a series of (Z)-1-R-2-(4’,4’-dimethyl-2’-oxazolin-2’-yl)-eth-1-en-1-ols (R = C6H5, C6H4-p-NO2, C6H4-p-OCH3, CF3, CH3 or CMe3), is detailed. All derivatives are air-stable solids of formula Zn(Ln)2 and are formed in the presence of the title ligands and NEt3. Reasonable yields (53-82%) are obtained with the exception of R = CMe3 (9%); in this case by-product formation and high solubility affected complex isolation. Crystallographic characterisation reveals that in all cases the ligands are bound in a κ2-N, O bonding motif. Little structural diversity is noted within the series; these complexes are further placed into structural context with related Zn materials containing oxazoline, phenolate and / or Schiff base ligands.