Zn(II) Complexes with Quinoline Supported Amidate Ligands: Synthesis, Fluorescence, and Catalytic Activity

Abstract

Zn(II) complexes of N-(quinolin-8-yl)picolinamide (HL¹) (1) and N²,N⁶-di(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (H₂L²) (2) have been synthesized by deprotonation of the ligands and characterized by IR, NMR, and Single crystal X-ray crystallography. The mononuclear [Zn(L¹)₂] (3) and homodinuclear [Zn₂(L²)₂] (4) complexes are characterized by distorted octahedral geometries stabilized by hydrogen bonding and weak π···π interaction. The complexes demonstrate intense fluorescence bands in comparison with their corresponding ligands with well-distinguished intensity. The complexes act as efficient catalysts in various transesterification reactions. Among those, the best results have been achieved with complex 3 in conversion of 4-nitrophenylacetate into methyl acetate within 3 h.