Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Synthesis of Triazole and Tetrazole-Functionalized Zr-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Through Post-Synthetic Ligand Exchange
Published on: June 23, 2023
Dichloridobis(3-chloro-pyridine-κN)zinc
This study reveals the crystal structure of a zinc(II) complex featuring 3-chloro-pyridine ligands. The structure is characterized by tetrahedral coordination and intermolecular halogen interactions between molecules.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Crystallography
- Materials Science
Background:
- Metal-organic complexes offer diverse structural and electronic properties.
- Understanding coordination geometries is crucial for designing new materials.
- Halogen bonding plays a significant role in supramolecular assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the crystal structure of the [ZnCl2(C5H4ClN)2] complex.
- To investigate the coordination environment around the zinc(II) ion.
- To identify and characterize intermolecular interactions within the crystal lattice.
Main Methods:
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the molecular and crystal structure.
- Analysis of bond lengths, angles, and coordination geometry.
- Identification of non-covalent interactions, specifically halogen bonding.
Main Results:
- The title compound, [ZnCl2(C5H4ClN)2], crystallizes with discrete molecular units.
- Zinc(II) cations exhibit a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry, bonded to two chloride anions and two nitrogen atoms from 3-chloro-pyridine ligands.
- Intermolecular C-Cl⋯Cl-C halogen interactions were observed between adjacent molecules, with a Cl⋯Cl distance of 3.442 Å.
Conclusions:
- The crystal structure of [ZnCl2(C5H4ClN)2] is reported, highlighting a tetrahedral zinc(II) coordination.
- The presence of intermolecular halogen bonding influences the supramolecular arrangement in the solid state.
- This structural information contributes to the understanding of halogen bonding in metal-organic systems.
Related Concept Videos
Ladder Diagrams: Complexation Equilibria
The formation constant, K1, for the formation of Cd(NH3)2+ complex from cadmium and ammonia is 3.55 × 102. Log K1 (i.e. pNH3) is 2.55, and...
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Aryldiazonium Salts to Azo Dyes: Diazo Coupling
Diazonium Group Substitution with Halogens and Cyanide: Sandmeyer and Schiemann Reactions
Coordination Number and Geometry
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

