A coordinatively flexible hexadentate ligand gives structurally isomeric complexes M2(L)X3 (M = Cu,Zn; X = Br,Cl)

Polypyridyl multidentate ligands based on ethylenediamine backbones are important metal‐binding agents with applications in biomimetics and homogeneous catalysis. The seemingly hexadentate tpena ligand systematic name: N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetate] reacts with zinc chloride and zinc bromide to form trichloridoμ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dizinc(II), Zn₂(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)Cl₃], and tribromidoμ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dizinc(II), Zn₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)]. One Zn^II ion shows the anticipated N₅O coordination in an irregular six‐coordinate site and is linked by an anti carboxylate bridge to a tetrahedral ZnX₃ (X = Cl or Br) unit. In contrast, the Cu^II ions in aquatribromidoμ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dicopper(II)–tribromidoμ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dicopper(II)–water (1/1/6.5) Cu₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)]Cu₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)(H₂O)]·6.5H₂O, occupy two tpena‐chelated sites, one a trigonal bipyramidal N₃Cl₂ site and the other a square‐planar N₂OCl site. In all three cases, electrospray ionization mass spectra were dominated by a misleading ion assignable to M(tpena)]⁺ (M = Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺).