Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of multinuclear zinc(II) alkylderivatives of linked phenoxides

Alkyl zinc derivatives of tris(3,5-dialkyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)methanes (alkyl = tert-butyl la, methyl Ib tert-pentyl Ic) have been prepared by reaction w ith dimethyl or diethylzinc, and characterized Whereas dimethylzinc with la or diethylzinc with Ib give Sg symmetric, hexanuclear aggregates with the general formula 1(2)(ZnR)(6) (R = Me 2a, Et 2b), when la reacts with diethy lzinc, solvent dependent reactions take place. If dichloromethane is used f or the reaction solvent, a dimeric, C-2 symmetric, tetranuclear product wit h the formula 1a(2)Zn(2)(ZnEt)(2) (3) is isolated while in diethyl ether, a Ct symmetric, pentanuclear aggregate 1a(2)Zn(ZnEt)(4) (4) forms, and in te trahydrofuran a C-3 symmetric trinuclear compound la[ZnEt(THF)](3) (5a) is produced. Each example is represented by a single-crystal X-ray structure d etermination. Preliminary studies regarding their activity toward the copol ymerization of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide are also reported.