A neutral trizirconium cluster with chelating and exobidentate dialkoxide groups. The synthesis and crystal structure of Zr-3(mu(3)-O)-(DMPD)(4)(DMPDH)(2) (DMPDH2=2,4-dimethylpentane-1,4-diol)

Zr-3(mu(3)-O){[CH2C(CH3)(2)O](2)}4{[HO(CH3)(2)CCH2C(CH3)(2)O]}(2) was prepa red by a transesterification reaction between Zr(O-n-Pr)(4) and 2.4-dimethy lpentane-2,4-diol, DMPDH2. The product was obtained as a white crystalline solid containing discrete molecules of a mu(3)-O bridged trizirconium clust er with one chelating DMPD, two chelating DMPDH groups and three exobidenta te DMPD groups, with one end bonded to a single Zr atom and the other bridg ing adjacent Zr atoms. The two chelating DMPDH groups form strong hydrogen bonds to the oxygen atoms of the chelated DMPD group. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence S.A. All rights reserved.