Non-planar co-ordination of the Schiff-base dianion N,N′-2,2-dimethyltrimethylenebis[salicylideneiminate(2–)] to vanadium

Abstract

The Schiff-base dianion N,N′-2,2-dimethyltrimethylenebis[salicylideneiminate(2–)](salnptn) coordinates to vanadium(IV) to form [VO(salnptn)] whose crystal structure has been determined. The compound is polymeric in the solid state with ⋯ VO → VO → VO ⋯ chains, the salnptn donor atoms being coplanar and the salnptn framework umbrella-shaped. In the derivative [VO(OMe)(salnptn)], the crystal structure of which has also been determined, the OMe and the vanadyl oxygen are co-ordinated cis to each other, and the salnptn now occupies three equatorial and one axial co-ordination positions. Even N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminate) seems to behave analogously, though it is normally planar.