Schiff base complexes of zirconium(IV) derived from Zr(acac)4

Summary Zr(acac)₄ undergoes ligand exchanges with various tri- and tetradentate Schiff base ligands, forming compounds of the Zr(L)₂ type (H₂L=tetradentate H₂Sal₂en, H₂Sal₂pn, H₂Sal₂ o-phen and the tridentate H₂SAP) and Zr(acac)₂L (H₂L=H₂SAN. H₂SAE). Upon reaction with a combination of tri- and tetradentate ligands, Zr(acac)₄ yields Zr(L)(L) complexes (H₂L=H₂Sal₂en or H₂Sal₂ o-phen; H₂L=H₂SAN, H₂SAE, or H₂SAP), which have been characterised by analytical data, m.ps, electrical conductivities, i.r. and n.m.r (¹H and¹³C) spectra, they have a coordination number of 6, 7 or 8.