(Benzoato-κO)chlorido[(–)-sparteine-κ2N,N′]zinc(II)

Abstract

The title complex, [Zn(C7H5O2)Cl(C15H26N2)], used for the magnetic dilution of the analogous CuII complex, was synthesized through a direct synthesis route. The coordination geometry around ZnII is best described as distorted tetrahedral, the largest deviation arising from the (–)-sparteine ligand, as is invariably found in complexes containing this rather rigid molecule. The benzoate anion behaves as a monodentate ligand, with a non-coordinating Zn...O separation of 2.969 (5) Å. Molecules are packed in the crystal without significant intermolecular interactions. The shortest Zn...Zn separation [6.8186 (7) Å] is observed between molecules related through the 21 screw axis. This is an important feature for the magnetic behaviour of the CuII analogue, which is intended for modeling isolated metal centers in the active site of type 1 blue copper proteins.