A comparison of the coordination preferences of Zn, Co, and Cd(II) with the heteroscorpionate ligand (2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-methylphenyl)bis (3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane

Reaction of the Zn, Cd, or Co nitrate salts with the deprotonated ligand (2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-methylphenyl)bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane (L1O^–) in methanol produced the following complexes: (L1OH)Zn(NO₃)₂] in two isomorphs, a = 40.983(8) Å, b = 9.571(2) Å, c = 15.667(8) Å, = 90, = 106.38(1), = 90, C2/c, and a = 13.027(3) Å, b = 14.781(4) Å, c = 16.107(3) Å, = 90, = 105.30(1), = 90, P2₁/n; (L1OH)Cd(pz)(NO₃)₂] a = 14.7476(2) Å, b = 13.5411(2) Å, c = 16.7223(2) Å, = 90, = 110.3840(10), = 90, P2₁/c; and (L1O)Co(pz)(NO₃)] a = 11.4240(2) Å, b = 13.4498(2) Å, c = 13.8056(2) Å, = 105.2080(10), = 105.8130(10), = 112.7470(10), P . The Zn adopts a pseudotetrahedral four-coordinate geometry where the potentially tridentate ligand is actually bidentate with a protonated and uncoordinated phenoxy arm. The Co complex is pseudooctahedral six-coordinate where the phenoxy arm is deprotonated and coordinated. Finally the Cd complex is seven-coordinate but the metal is not coordinated through the phenoxy group that is again protonated.