Syntheses, spectroscopies and structures of zinc complexes with malate

Reactions of zinc(II) ion with racemic malic acid (C₄H₆O₅ = H₃mal) result in the isolation of four new zinc(II) malato complexes: (NH₄)Zn(R-H₂mal)₃] · H₂O (1), trans-Zn(R-H₂mal)(S-H₂mal)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O (2), (NH₄)₂Zn(R-Hmal)(S-Hmal)] · 2H₂O (3), and Zn₂(R-Hmal)(S-Hmal)(H₂O)₄]_n · 2nH₂O (4). Three R-malic acids in 1 act as bidentate ligands via their alcoholic and the central carboxy groups with Zn(II) ion, leaving the terminal carboxylic acid groups free. The R- and S-malates of 2 coordinate in a bidentate manner with zinc ion in trans-form. In 3, Zn(II) ion is coordinated by R- and S-malates in a tridentate fashion via their alcoholic and two carboxy groups. Complex 4 forms a two-dimensional layered structure through the links of a new dimeric unit Zn₂(R-Hmal)(S-Hmal)(H₂O)₄] with one of the oxygen atoms from the terminal carboxy group of malate ligand. The coordination of malates depends on pH variation, on Zn:malate ratio, and also on temperature. Tridentate chelation of malate in 3 is found between pH 4.5-9.0. The soluble monomeric species 1-3 have been investigated using ¹³C NMR spectra by long-time acquisition. The solution NMR spectra indicate that zinc malate complexes dissociate in H₂O (D₂O). Obvious downfield shifts of the central carboxy carbon atoms in 1-3 are observed compared with those of free malate, which indicate that these zinc malate complexes dissociate in aqueous solution.