SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A MIXED-LIGAND ZINC FORMATE AND 1,10-PHENANTHROLINE

A mixed-ligand zinc(II) complex, [Zn(Hpma)(phen)Cl] (where [Hpma.sup.-] = N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)oxamate and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), has been prepared by the reaction of zinc chloride, ethyl (2,6-dimethylphenylcarbamoyl)formate (Hdmp) and 1,10-phenanthroline under basic conditions in dimethylformamide. The structure of the complex was characterised by elemental analysis, IR, [.sup.1]H-NMR, UV-Vis absorption and X-ray crystallography. The metal complex crystallises in the monoclinic system (space group P21/c) and is composed of the five-coordinate zinc ion in a distorted spherical square pyramidal geometry. Stabilisation of single crystals occurs through hydrogen bonds and [pi]-[pi] stacking interactions. KEY WORDS: Zinc(II), N-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)oxamate, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Crystal structure, Hydrogen bonding, [pi]-[pi] Stacking, Mixed-ligand