Description:
AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of the first series of low‐coordinate bis(terphenyl) complexes of the Group 12 metals, [Zn(2,6‐Naph2C6H3)2] (1), [Cd(OEt2)(2,6‐Naph2C6H3)2] (2) and [Hg(OEt2)(2,6‐Naph2C6H3)2] (3) (Naph=1‐C10H7) are described. The naphthyl substituents of the terphenyl ligands confer considerable steric bulk, and as a result of limited flexibility introduce multiple conformations to these unusual systems. In the solid state, complex 1 features a two‐coordinate Zn centre with the ligands oriented in a syn/anti conformation, whereas the three‐coordinate distorted T‐shaped complexes 2 and 3 feature the ligands in the syn/syn configurations. The results of DFT calculations are in good agreement with the solid‐state configurations for these complexes and support the spectroscopic measurements, which indicate several conformers in solution.