Hydrolytic ring opening reactions of anhydrides for first row transition metal dicarboxylate complexes

Ring opening reactions of 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic anhydride are studied with hydrated salts of cobalt, nickel and zinc. The hydrated metal salts preferentially hydrolyze 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic anhydride rather than causing esterification in methanol medium. Hydrolytic opening of 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic anhydride by hydrated cobalt(II) acetate and nickel(II) acetate resulted in the corresponding chelate complexes of monodeprotonated 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic acid. The reaction of copper acetate with pyromellitic dianhydride in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline gives a dinuclear copper complex whereas a similar reaction with copper(II) chloride gives a mononuclear copper complex.