Structure and aggregation properties of a Schiff-base zinc(II) complex derived from cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

This contribution explores the effect of the bridging diamine upon the aggregation properties of a Zn(II) Schiff-base complex, , both in the solid state and in solution. The X-ray structure of , resulting from the harvest of good quality crystals using chloroform and diethyl ether as solvents, shows the presence of a densely packed dimer in the solid state which pentacoordinates two Zn atoms involved in a μ-phenoxo bridge. Detailed studies in solution, through (1)H NMR, DOSY NMR, and optical spectroscopic investigations, indicate the typical aggregation/deaggregation behaviour on switching from non-coordinating to coordinating solvents, in relation to the Lewis acidic character of such Zn(II) complexes. Thus, while in DMSO-d6 both (1)H NMR and DOSY studies suggest the existence of monomeric species, in chloroform solution experimental data support the existence of aggregates. However, unlike our previous studies, (1)H NMR data in chloroform solution indicate the existence of an asymmetric dimer, as observed in the X-ray crystal structure. This further evidences a very rigid backbone of the dimeric aggregate and can be related to the defined stereochemistry of the chelate cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane bridge.