A Heterotetranuclear Zinc(II)-Cerium(IV) Salamo Complex Possessing Deca- and Dodeca-Coordinated Cerium(IV) Atoms: Synthesis, Structure, and Photophysical Properties

A heterotetranuclear zinc(II)-cerium(IV) complex [(ZnL)2Ce(OAc)2][Ce(NO3)6] · Py (H2L = 6,6′-methoxy-2,2′-[1,2-ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol and Py = pyridine) is successfully prepared by a one-pot reaction of a Salamo-type ligand H2L with Zn(OAc)2·2H2O, Ce(NO3)3-6H2O, and an auxiliary ligand Py. The Znn-CeIV complex consists of one dicationic [(ZnL)2Ce(OAc)2]2+ unit with a deca-coordinated CeIV atom, one [Ce(NO3)6]2− dianionic unit with a dodeca-coordinated CeIV atom, and one uncoordinated Py molecule. Interestingly, the two CeIV atoms are positive tetravalent, which may probably be due to the oxidation of trivalent Cem atoms during the reaction. Moreover, the photophysical properties of the Znn-CeIV complex are studied.