A Tetrahedral Zinc(II) Complex of Tris(2-pyridylethyl)amine

The zinc ion in the title complex, [N,N′-bis(2-pyridylethyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine-κ⁴N]zinc(II) diperchlorate, [Zn(C₂₁H₂₄N₄)](ClO₄)₂, displays a distorted tetrahedral configuration. The Zn—N_py distances range from 1.979 (5) to 1.999 (5) Å while the Zn—N_am distance is 2.028 (5) Å. The N_py—Zn—N_py and N_py—Zn—N_am angles range from 111.9 (2) to 119.6 (2)° and from 102.3 (2) to 103.4 (2)°, respectively. This behavior contrasts with the 5-coordinate geometry normally observed in tripodal ligands with similar structures, and can be ascribed to the presence of weakly coordinating anions and the ligand-metal chelate-ring size.

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