Binuclear Zinc Complexes Research Articles

Zinc complexes with 3-Pyridinyl-5-(2-salicylideneiminophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazoles

New coordination compounds of zinc with 3-(pyridine-2-yl)-5-(2-salicylideneiminophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (H2L1) and 3-(pyridine-4-yl)-5-(2-salicylideneiminophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (H2L2) are obtained. According to X-ray diffraction data, binuclear zinc complexes with L1, namely, [Zn2L 2 1 ]. 0.5EtOH and [Zn2L 2 1 ] · 2C4H8O2 · 2H2O obtained in different solvents, are structurally related molecular complexes. The product of the reaction with H2L2 is the {[ZnL2(Py)] · CHCl3} n coordination polymer. The 1,2,4-triazoles under study and the complexes on their basis luminesce in solutions with emission maxima ranging from 412 to 503 nm. These coordination compounds in the solid state emit in the green range of the spectrum (λmax = 496 and 485 nm).

Triostin A derived hybrid for simultaneous DNA binding and metal coordination.

The natural product triostin A is known as an antibiotic based on specific DNA recognition. Structurally, a bicyclic depsipeptide backbone provides a well-defined scaffold preorganizing the recognition motifs for bisintercalation. Replacing the intercalating quinoxaline moieties of triostin A by nucleobases results in a potential major groove binder. The functionalization of this DNA binding triostin A analog with a metal binding ligand system is reported, thereby generating a hybrid molecule with DNA binding and metal coordinating capability. Transition metal ions can be placed in close proximity to dsDNA by means of non-covalent interactions. The synthesis of the nucleobase-modified triostin A analog is described containing a propargylglycine for later attachment of the ligand by click-chemistry. As ligand, two [1,4,7]triazacyclononane rings were bridged by a phenol. Formation of the proposed binuclear zinc complex was confirmed for the ligand and the triostin A analog/ligand construct by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The complex as well as the respective hybrid led to stabilization of dsDNA, thus implying that metal complexation and DNA binding are independent processes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00726-010-0764-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Rational Design of FRET-Based Ratiometric Chemosensors for in Vitro and in Cell Fluorescence Analyses of Nucleoside Polyphosphates

Ratiometric fluorescence sensing is a useful technique for the precise and quantitative analysis of biological events occurring under complex conditions, such as those inside cells. We report herein the design of new ratiometric chemosensors for nucleoside polyphosphates such as ATP that are based on binding-induced modulation of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) coupled with a turn-on fluorescence-sensing mechanism. We designed these new FRET-based ratiometric chemosensors by utilizing spectral overlap changes to modulate the FRET efficiency. Introduction of coumarin fluorophores as the FRET donors into a binuclear zinc complex as the FRET acceptor provided the ratiometric chemosensors. These chemosensors exhibited a clear dual-mission signal change upon binding with strong affinity (K(app) ≈ 10(6)-10(7) M(-1)) to nucleoside polyphosphates in aqueous solution, whereas no detectable emission change was observed with monophosphates and phosphodiester species or various other anions. These chemosensors were used for real-time fluorescence monitoring of enzyme reactions such as saccharide synthesis by glycosyltransferase and phosphorylation by protein kinase, both of which involve nucleoside polyphosphates as substrates. The utility of ratiometric sensing by chemosensors was further demonstrated in a fluorescence-imaging study of the nucleoside polyphosphates inside living cells, wherein we ratiometrically visualized the stimulus-responsive concentration change of ATP, an indicator of the cellular energy level.

Hydrolysis of Organophosphate Esters: Phosphotriesterase Activity of Metallo‐β‐lactamase and Its Functional Mimics

The phosphotriesterase (PTE) activity of a series of binuclear and mononuclear zinc(II) complexes and metallo-beta-lactamase (mbetal) from Bacillus cereus was studied. The binuclear complex 1, which exhibits good mbetal activity, shows poor PTE activity. In contrast, complex 2, a poor mimic of mbetal, exhibits much higher activity than 1. The replacement of Cl(-) ligands by OH(-) is important for the high PTE activity of complex 2 because this complex does not show any catalytic activity in methanol. The natural enzyme mbetal from B. cereus is also found to be an inefficient catalyst in the hydrolysis of phosphotriesters. These observations indicate that the binding of beta-lactam substrates at the binuclear zinc(II) center is different from that of phosphotriesters. Furthermore, phosphodiesters, the products from the hydrolysis of triesters, significantly inhibit the PTE activity of mbetal and its functional mimics. Although the mononuclear complexes 3 and 4 exhibited significant mbetal activity, these complexes are found to be almost inactive in the hydrolysis of phosphotriesters. These observations indicate that the elimination of phosphodiesters from the reaction site is important for the PTE activity of zinc(II) complexes.

Synthesis and spectral properties of zinc(II) helicates with 3,3′-bis(dipyrrolylmethenes) series

The creation of the fundamentally new, electrically neutral complexes of 3,3'-bis(dipyrrolylmethenes) of spiral-shaped structure [1] is among the promising contemporary trends in the coordination chemistry of linear oligopyrrols. 3,3'-Bis(dipyrrolylmethene) helicates are formed due to covalent and donor–acceptor bonding, contain no counterions that results in their high stability and facilitates their synthesis and chromatographic purification. We synthesized binuclear homoleptic zinc(II) complexes of composition 2:2 by reaction of zinc acetate dihydrate with seven 3,3'-bis(dipyrrolylmethenes) I–VII dihydrobromides in chloroform– methanol medium by the modernized procedure [2].

Synthesis of (2-hydroxo-5-chlorophenylaminoisonitrosoacetyl)phenyl ligands and their complexes: Spectral, thermal and solvent-extraction studies

Four different types of new ligands Ar(COC(NOH)R)n (Ar=biphenyl, n = 1 H2L 1 ; Ar=biphenyl, n = 2 H4L 2 ; Ar=diphenylmethane, n = 1 H2L 3 ; Ar=diphenylmethane, n = 2 H4L 4 ; R=2�amino�4�chlo� rophenol in all ligands) have been obtained from 1 equivalent of chloroketooximes Ar(COC(NOH)Cl) n (HL 1 -H2L 4 ) and 1 equivalent of 2�amino�4�chlorophenol (for H2L 1 and H2L 3 ) or 2 equivalent of 2�amino� 4�chlorophenol (for H4L 2 and H4L 4 ). (Mononuclear or binuclear cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were synthesized with these ligands.) These compounds have been characterized by ele� mental analyses, AAS, infrared spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ligands have been further characterized by 1 H NMR. The results suggest that the dinuclear complexes of H 2 L 1 and H 2 L 3 have a metal:ligand ratio of 1:2; the mononuclear complexes of H4L 2 and H4L 4 have a metal:ligand ratio of 1:1 and dinuclear complexes H4L 2 and H4L 4 have a metal:ligand ratio of 2:1. The binding properties of the ligands towards selected transition metal ions (Mn II , Co II , Ni II , Cu II , Zn II , Pb II , Cd II , Hg II ) have been established by extraction experiments. The ligands show strong binding ability towards mercury(II) ion. In addition, the thermal decomposition of some complexes is studied in nitrogen atmosphere.

Binuclear copper and zinc complexes possessing bio-potential ligands: synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, SOD mimetic, DNA binding, and cleavage studies

Schiff bases (L) viz, N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetra-3,4-dimethoxybenzalidene-3,3′-diaminobenzidine (TDBD), N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetra-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzalidene-3,3′-diaminobenzidine (THMBD), and N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetra-3-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzalidene-3,3′-diaminobenzidine (THNBD) afford binuclear [M2LCl4] complexes where M = Cu(II) or Zn(II). These Schiff bases and their binuclear complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral data showing square-planar geometry on metalation with Cu2+. Intercalative binding of these complexes with DNA has been investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. Control DNA cleavage experiments using pUC19 supercoiled (SC) DNA and minor groove binder distamycin suggest that these synthesized complexes bind to the major groove. In the presence of a reducing agent like 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), they show chemical nuclease activity. They also show an efficient photo-induced DNA cleavage on irradiation with a monochromatic UV light of 360 nm in the presence of inhibitors. Control experiments indicate the inhibition of cleavage in the presence of singlet oxygen quencher like sodium azide and the enhancement of cleavage in D2O show the formation of singlet oxygen as reactive species. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic activity of the synthesized complexes has been assessed for their ability to inhibit the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT). The complexes have promising SOD-mimetic activity. The antimicrobial results indicate that the complexes inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi more than free ligands.

Binuclear Magnesium, Calcium, and Zinc Complexes Based on Nitrogen–Nitrogen‐Coupled Salicylaldiminate and β‐Diketiminate Ligands

AbstractThe diprotic bis(salicylaldimine) ligand N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tBu‐salicylidene)diimine, (1‐NN)H2, was smoothly deprotonated by reaction with two equivalents of a metal amide M[N(SiMe3)2]2 (M = Mg, Ca or Zn) to form a bimetallic metal amide complex (1‐NN)[MN(SiMe3)2]2. This heteroleptic complex was only stable in the case of Mg and (1‐NN)[MgN(SiMe3)2·thf]2 was structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. For Ca and Zn homoleptic products could be obtained: (1‐NN)Ca·(thf)2 and (1‐NN)Zn. The latter crystallized as a trimer with approximate C3‐symmetry. The diprotic N–N coupled bis(β‐diketimine) ligand [RHN–C(Me)=C–C(Me)=N–N=C(Me)–C=C(Me)–NHR, R = 2,6‐di‐iPr‐C6H3], which is abbreviated as (2‐NN)H2, can be deprotonated only under much harsher reaction conditions. Attempted synthesis of (2‐NN)[Mg(nBu)]2 gave after ligand exchange the homoleptic species (2‐NN)Mg and Mg(nBu)2. For Ca, the complexes [(2‐NN)Ca]2 and (2‐NN)[CaN(SiMe3)2·thf]2 both have been prepared and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. The latter heteroleptic complex is in benzene solution in equilibrium with [(2‐NN)Ca]2 and Ca[N(SiMe3)2]2·(thf)2. Reaction of (2‐NN)H2 with excess of Et2Zn gave the heteroleptic complex (2‐NN)[ZnEt]2 and is stable towards ligand exchange reactions. The complex is not active in CO2/cyclohexene oxide copolymerization. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)

Synthesis, crystal structure, and DNA binding of a new oxalato-bridged binuclear zinc(II) complex

A new binuclear zinc(II) complex bridged by μ-oxalate, and end-capped with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), [Zn2(ox)(bpy)4](ClO4)2 · H2O, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, and electronic spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the [Zn2(ox)(bpy)4]2+ cation has two zinc(II) centers bridged by a planar bis(bidentate) oxalate group with Zn···Zn distance of 5.482(3) Å; each zinc(II) is in a distorted octahedral environment. The crystal structure is stabilized by non-classical C–H···O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions to form a 3-D supramolecular structure. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was explored by using electronic and fluorescence spectra and viscosity measurements. The results reveal that the complex intercalates with CT-DNA with intrinsic binding constant of 4.1 × 104 M−1.

Zinc(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of (3-carboxymethoxy-naphthalen-2-yloxy)-acetic acid: a structural study

Different types of cyclic polynuclear complexes and one-dimensional coordination polymers of zinc(II) derived from (3-carboxymethoxy-naphthalen-2-yloxy)-acetic acid (LH2) are synthesised and characterised. The macrocyclic effect of ligand L leads to the formation of a coordination polymer having composition {[Na2Zn2(L)2(OH)2]}n and a binuclear zinc complex having composition [Zn2Na2(L)2(CH3COO)2(Pyz)2(MeOH)2] (where Pyz = pyrazole). A tetranuclear cyclic zinc(II) metallacycle with two dimethylformamide molecules in two different environments is synthesized and it has two symmetry non-equivalent cyclic molecules in its unit cell. The mononuclear complexes of zinc with L and the bidentate ligands such as 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline ancillary ligands are structurally characterised.

Binuclear copper and zinc complexes based on polypyridyl ligand 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz): Synthesis, spectral and structural characterization

The reaction of MCl 2 · 2H 2O (M = Cu, Zn) with 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) (referred hereafter as L) in 2:1 molar ratio in acetonitrile at room temperature afforded binuclear complexes [M 2(κ 3-L)Cl 4] [Cu ( 1), Zn ( 2)] where the ligand is bis-tridentate manner. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FAB-MS, IR, EPR, NMR and electronic spectral studies. Solid state structures of both the [Cu 2(κ 3-L)Cl 4] · 5H 2O ( 1), [Zn 2(κ 3-L)Cl 4] · H 2O ( 2) have been determined by single crystal X-ray analyses. A well-resolved uudd cyclic water tetramer and water monomer were reported in the crystal host of [Cu 2(κ 3-L)Cl 4] · 5H 2O ( 1) and [Zn 2(κ 3-L)Cl 4] · H 2O ( 2) showing the contribution of the water cluster to the stability of the crystal host 1 and 2.

Synthesis and coordination properties of the zinc complex of dimeric porphyrin in reactions with imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, and the pyridine in benzene

Dimeric porphyrin(2,6-bis[15′-(3″,5″-di-tert-butylphenol)-3′,7′,13′,17′-tetramethyl-2′,8′,12′,18-tetraethylporphin-5′-yl]-4-tert-buthylphenol) and its binuclear zinc complex were obtained from 4,4′-dimethyl-3,3′-diethyldipyrrolylmethane, 2,6-diformyl-4-tert-butylphenol and 3,5-di-tert-buthylbenzaldehyde. Coordina-tion properties of dimeric zincporphyrin in the intermolecular reaction with nitrogen-containing bases (imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, and pyridine) in benzene were studied. Geometry and electronic structure of the zincporphyrin and its molecular complexes were calculated by a quantum-chemical method. Energy characteristics of the intermolecular reaction of the dimeric zincporphyrin with bases were determined. The calculated energies of the central metal atom interaction with the nitrogen atom of an extra-ligand agree well with the stability of the Zn-porphyrin molecular complexes. The influence of the deformation distortions of the porphyrin ligand on the strength of the metal-extra-ligand σ-bond was established.

Synthesis and structures of new binuclear zinc alkyl, aryl and aryloxo complexes

The synthesis of a series of binuclear zinc complexes with Cl, N and O bridges is reported. The reaction of EtZnCl with B(C 6F 5) 3 in the presence of hexamethylbenzene affords the arene complex [Zn(μ-Cl)(C 6F 5)(η-C 6Me 6)] 2 in which the C 6Me 6 ligand may be regarded as η 3-bonded. The comproportionation of Zn[N(SiMe 3) 2] 2 with ZnBu t 2 or Zn(C 6F 5) 2 · toluene gave [Bu t Zn{μ-N(SiMe 3) 2}] 2 and [C 6F 5Zn{μ-N(SiMe 3) 2}] 2, respectively, with three-coordinate zinc. The reaction of ZnEt 2 with C 6F 5OH in the presence of pyridine gave [EtZn(μ-OC 6F 5)(py)] 2, while ZnMe 2 and C 6F 5OH followed by recrystallisation from THF gave [Zn(OC 6F 5)(μ-OC 6F 5)(THF) 2] 2 with five-coordinate zinc in a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The structures of these compounds have been determined.

Synthesis, spectral, magnetic, electrochemical and kinetic studies of copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) acetate complexes derived from phenol based ‘end-off’ ligands: Effect of p-substituents

A new class of symmetric, end-off, N-methyl piperazine armed binucleating ligands 2,6-bis(4-methyl piperazin-1-yl-methyl)-4-acetyl phenol (HL 1) and 2,6-bis[(4-methyl piperazin-1-yl-methyl)]-(4-methylcarboxy) phenol (HL 2) were synthesized by the Mannich reaction. Their mononuclear and binuclear Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infra-red and electronic spectral analysis. In the electronic spectra, the lower electron withdrawing nature of the C(O)CH 3 p-substituent (HL 1) compared with the C(O)OCH 3 p-substituent (HL 2) of the phenolic ring causes a red shift in the LMCT-charge transfer band. The mononuclear Cu(II) complexes 1 and 7 have a magnetic moment value close to the spin only value with four hyperfine EPR signals. The binuclear Cu(II) complexes 4 and 10 illustrate an antiferromagnetic interaction ( μ eff 1.56 and 1.55 BM) at 298 K with a broad EPR signal. A variable temperature magnetic moment study of the binuclear copper(II) complexes shows that the extent of antiferromagnetic coupling increases in the order: CHO [K. Shanmuga Bharathi, A. Kalilur Rahiman, K. Rajesh, S. Sreedaran, P.G. Aravindan, D. Velmurugan, V. Narayanan, Polyhedron 25 (2006) 2859] < C(O)CH 3 < C(O)OCH 3 (−2 J values 134 [Shanmuga Bharathi et al., mentioned above], 149 and 158 cm −1, respectively). The mononuclear Ni(II) complexes 2 and 8 are square planar and diamagnetic. The six coordinated binuclear Ni(II) complexes 5 and 11 show a magnetic moment value of 2.96 and 2.95 BM, respectively. Electrochemical studies of the complexes reveal that all the mononuclear complexes show a single irreversible one-electron transfer reduction wave and the binuclear complexes show two irreversible one-electron transfer reduction waves in the cathodic region. There is an anodic shift in the reduction of the metal centres when the electron withdrawing nature of the p-substituent of the phenolic ring increases. The catecholase activity of the mono and binuclear copper(II) complexes, using pyrocatechol as a model substrate, and the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate using the mono and binuclear copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes as catalysts showed that the binuclear complexes have higher rate constant values than those of the corresponding mononuclear complexes. A comparison of the spectral, electrochemical and magnetic behaviour of the complexes derived from the ligands is discussed on the basis of the substituent at the para position of the phenolic ring.

Spectroscopic studies of bridged binuclear complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)

Binuclear cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of general composition [M2L1-2(μ-Cl)Cl2] · nH2O with the Schiff-base ligands (where L1H and L2H are the potential pentadentate ligands derived by condensing 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol with 4-amino-3-antipyrine and 2-hydroxy-3-hydrazinoquinoxiline, respectively) have been synthesized and characterized. Analytical and spectral studies support the above formulation. 1H-NMR and IR spectra of the complexes suggest they have an endogenous phenoxide bridge, with chloride as the exogenous bridge atom. The electronic spectra of all the complexes are well characterized by broad d–d and a high intensity charge-transfer transitions. The complexes are chloro-bridged as evidenced by two intense far-IR bands centered around 270–280 cm−1. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that complexes are antiferromagnetic in nature. The compounds show significant growth inhibitory activity against fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans and moderate activity against bacteria Bacillus cirroflagellosus and Pseudomonas auresenosa.

Synthesis of new ‘end-off’ μ-phenoxo and bis-μ-acetato tri-bridged copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes: Spectral, magnetic, electrochemical and catalytic studies

A new end-off type acyclic ligand with two N-methyl piperazine arms, 2,6-bis[(4-methyl piperazin-1-yl)]-4-formyl phenol [L], has been synthesized by a simple Mannich reaction. The mono and binuclear complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) have been prepared. The complexes were characterized by elemental and spectral analysis. The EPR spectrum of the mononuclear copper complex shows four hyperfine splittings and the binuclear complex shows a broad signal due to an anti-ferromagnetic interaction. The room temperature magnetic moment of the mono and binuclear copper complexes are found to be 1.72 μ B ( μ eff) and 1.58 μ B ( μ eff), respectively. The mononuclear Ni(II) complex is square planar and diamagnetic, whereas the six-coordinated binuclear Ni(II) complex shows a magnetic moment value of 2.98 μ B ( μ eff). Cyclic voltammetric studies evidenced one irreversible reduction wave for all the mononuclear complexes and two irreversible one-electron reduction waves for the binuclear complexes are obtained in the cathodic region. In the anodic region, one irreversible oxidation wave for the mononuclear nickel(II) complex and two irreversible oxidation waves for the binuclear nickel(II) complexes are obtained. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the mono and binuclear copper(II) complexes as catalysts and on the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylphosphate using the mono and binuclear copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes as catalysts were carried out. The binuclear complexes have higher rate constant values than those of the corresponding mononuclear complexes. The rate constant values for the complexes for the hydrolysis are in the order nickel(II) > copper(II) > zinc(II).

Synthesis and characterization of 4-(alkylaminoisonitrosoacetyl)biphenyls and their complexes

Three new substituted 4-(alkylaminoisonitrosoacetyl)biphenyls (ligands) derived from 4-biphenylhydroxymoyl chloride and corresponding amines were synthesized. The following aromatic and aliphatic amines were used for ligands: ethanolamine, 2-amino-4-methylphenol, and 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine. Mononuclear or binuclear cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II), and lead(II) complexes with these ligands were synthesized. These compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, AAS, infrared spectra, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ligands were additionally characterized by 1H NMR. The results suggest that the ligands act as tridentate ligands.

A fluorescent pyrophosphate sensor with high selectivity over ATP in water.

High affinity and selective detection for PPi is exhibited by a new fluorescent sensor based on a naphthalene–dpa system (see picture). The binuclear zinc complex is remarkably selective toward PPi over other anions. For example, PPi can be detected at micromolar concentrations in the presence of a large excess of ATP. PPi=pyrophosphate, ATP=adenosine triphosphate, dpa=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine.

A novel 4,4′-azopyridine-bridged binuclear zinc complex

A novel binuclear zinc(II) complex [Zn2(azpy)3(2Cl-azpy)2(H2O)6](ClO4)4(azpy)4(H2O)10 (1) (azpy = 4,4′-azopyridine, 2Cl-azpy = (2,6-dichloro)-4,4′-azopyridine) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and excitation and emission spectra. The Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group , with a = 10.730(3), b = 15.455(4), c = 18.893(5) Å, α = 73.358(5), β = 87.999(6), γ = 71.865(6)°, V = 2847.7(14) Å3, Z = 1. The azpy ligand links two zinc(II) ions forming a binuclear entity. Each zinc(II) ion lies in a distorted octahedron completed by three oxygen atoms from water molecules and three nitrogen atoms from 4-pyridyl donor groups. Luminescence studies of 1 in aqueous solution show strong blue photoluminescence as the result of fluorescence from an intraligand excited state.

Synthesis and Structure of bis(Dibutyldithiocarbamate)zinc(II): Zn2[(n-Bu)2NCSS

The binuclear zinc (II) complex Zn2[(n-Bu)2NCSS]4 has been prepared, and its crystal and molecular structure have been determined by x-ray diffraction. The crystal is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a=23.329(3)Å, b=17.090(2)Å, c=16.115(2)Å, α =90°, β=127.560(10)°, γ=90°, z=4, V=5039.1(11)Å3, F(000)=2016, R=0.0450, and Rw=0.1192. The crystal structure shows that two S-N-S atom chains, belonging to the different dibutyldithiocarbamate ligands, bridge two zinc (II) ions. Each zinc (II) ion coordinates to four S atoms. The coordination geometry around the zinc (II) is a tetrahedron, however, the coordination sphere of two zinc ions in the dimer is best described as a distorted octagon. The X-ray photoelectron spectra, IR and UV data have been used to study the structure and spectra properties of the complex.