Extended structures based on hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions: [synthesis and characterization of two zinc complexes: [Zn(dap)Cl2] and [Zn(dap)2Cl2].

Abstract Two new Zn(II) complexes, [Zn(dap)Cl 2 ] ( 1 ) and [Zn(dap) 2 Cl 2 ] ( 2 ) (dap stands for 2,3-diaminopyridine), were prepared and spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. In both compounds, the zinc(II) atom has a pseudo-tetrahedral ZnN 2 Cl 2 coordination environment. Compound 1 adopts a three-dimensional structure built up from [Zn(dap)Cl 2 ] n zig-zag chains, which are linked by N–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. In compound 2 the dap is monodentate coordinating via the pyridine nitrogen; the mononuclear tetrahedral [Zn(dap) 2 Cl 2 ] units are linked into two-dimensional sheets through extensive N–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding. Inter-sheet π–π interactions connect them into a three-dimensional network.