Zinc(II)-1,3,5-triazapentadienate complex as effective catalyst in Henry reaction

Template condensation of CCl 3 CN and ammonia on zinc(II) (used as acetate) afforded, in one step, bis(2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-1,3,5-triazapentadienato)-zinc(II) 1 , which was characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, IR and X-ray single-crystal analysis. The complex 1 was shown to be an effective catalyst in the nitroaldol (Henry) reaction, providing high yields (up to 99%) and good diastereoselectivities ( threo/erythro up to 3:1) at ambient conditions.