Oximate-substituted zirconium alkoxides

The reaction of acetoxime, ethyl methyl ketoxime or cyclohexanone oxime with zirconium iso-propoxide gave dimeric alkoxo oximate derivatives Zr(OiPr)(oximate)?]?. The oximate ligands are side-on coordinated and the alkoxo groups bridge the two metal centres. NMR spectroscopy revealed dynamic behaviour of the compounds in solution. When exposing a reaction mixture of zirconium butoxide and cyclohexanone oxime to ambient moisture, the oxo-alkoxo derivative Zr?O(OBu)?(ON=C?H??)? was obtained.