Zinc and cadmium complexes with an achiral symmetric helicand. Crystal structure of an enantiomerically pure Λ-Zn( ii ) monohelicate

Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with an N-tosyl substituted N4-donor Schiff base, containing a 2-propanol residue as spacer, have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structure of the monohelicate Λ-Zn(OHPTs)·H2O [H2OHPTs: N,N′-bis(2-tosylaminobenzylidene)-1,3-diamino-2-propanol] has been solved. The Zn(II) ion assumes a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry, involving the four donor N atoms of the bisdeprotonated ligand. Strong (O–H⋯O) hydrogen bonds between neighbouring complex and lattice water molecules lead to intricate intermolecular interactions that seem to drive the crystal packing. This Zn(II) complex shows an intense blue fluorescence in solution (λ = 430 nm, ϕ = 0.14), which is also observed in the solid state (λ = 490 nm). Cd(OHPTs)·4H2O, although at a lower level (ϕ = 0.08), is also luminescent (λ = 430 nm) in acetonitrile solution.