N16-oxides of sparteine, 2-methylsparteine and 2-phenylsparteine as ligands; spectroscopic and DFT studies of complexes with ZnX2 (X=Cl,Br)

Six new ZnX₂ (X=Cl, Br) complexes with N16-oxides of sparteine, 2-methylsparteine and 2-phenylsparteine as ligands have been synthesized and characterized by MS, IR, NMR and DFT methods. All complexes have 1 : 1 stoichiometry. Complexation with N16-oxides involves inversion of the configuration at N16, converting ring C from a boat into a chair with the oxygen engaged in coordination. All complexes investigated are of composition (L–H)⁺(ZnX₃)^?] (where L is N-oxide). The structures of the complexes obtained have been compared with those of the monoperchlorate salts of the N-oxides.