Synthesis, Molecular, and Crystal Structure of a Complex of Pentacoordinated Zinc with Chloride Ions and Pyridine-2-Carbaldehyde Hemiacetal

The reaction between pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and zinc chloride in wet MeCN yielded a zinc chelate complex with hemiacetal formed in situ from the hydrated pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and the second molecule of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde. According to X-ray diffraction data, the pentacoordinated environment of the zinc ion is formed by two chlorine atoms and the N,N',O-tridentate ligand. In the crystal, molecules are combined into a 3D supramolecular framework due to the intermolecular hydrogen bonds O–H···Cl, C–H···Cl, and π–π stacking interactions between pyridine rings.