Unusual metal complexes of N,N-bis(2-picolyl)amides – A comparative study of structure and reactivity

Abstract

Herein, we present hitherto unknown crystal structures of naphthalene-N,N-bis(2-picolyl)amide [NaphBPA] and its CuCl2-, CuBr2-, Cu(OTf)2-, and ZnCl2-complexes. In each CuII-complex, we obtained an unusual coordination mode which involves the amide nitrogen. This leads to a significant pyramidalization of the amide nitrogen which causes a higher methanolysis rate. In contrast, ZnII is not coordinated by the amidic nitrogen and the pertinent [(NaphBPA)2Zn2Cl4]-complex does not show a remarkable methanolysis reactivity.