Coordination capabilities of metal ions and steric features of organic ligands affecting formation of mono- or binuclear zinc(II) and cadmium(II) pivalates

Abstract

Reactions between zinc(II) or cadmium(II) pivalates and 2,2′-bipyridine, various substituted 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives or 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine have resulted in ten mono- and binuclear complexes with general formula [M(piv)2L] or [Cd2(piv)4L2], where piv is the pivalate anion, L is N,N′- or N,N′,N″-donor ligand, and M = Zn(II), Cd(II). Molecular and crystal structures as well as optical properties of the obtained homometallic complexes are reported and discussed. Preferable formation of binuclear cadmium compounds depending on type of the ligand are studied and clearly explained by means of DFT calculations.