An octahedral template based on a new molecular turn: synthesis and structure of a model complex and a reactive, diphenolic ligand and its metal complexes

A series of novel tridentate Schiff base ligands that can be used in octahedral molecular templates was synthesized. The crystal structures of the free ligand, 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldhydebis(p-hydroxyphenylimine), its zinc(II) and nickel(II) complexes and the product of methylation of the nickel(II) complex, were also described. Results showed that two molecules of the ligand exhibit equatorial coordination to six-coordinate octahedral metal ions to produce orthogonally oriented molecular turns around the anchoring metal ion.