Ligand influences on homoleptic Group 12 m-terphenyl complexes

Three m-terphenyl ligands 2,6-Ar₂C₆H₃^-[Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃(2,6-Xyl); 3,5-Me₂C₆H₃(3,5-Xyl); 2,3,4,5,6-Me₅C₆(Pmp)] have been used to stabilise three series of two-coordinate Group 12 diaryl complexes; (2,6-Ar₂C₆H₃)₂M [M = Zn, Cd, Hg, Ar = 2,6-Xyl 1-3, 3,5-Xyl 4-6, Pmp 7-9], where differing steric demands on the metal centres are imparted. These are the first homoleptic d-block complexes featuring any of these ligands. Complexes 1-9 have been characterised in solution and the solid state; the analysis of structural changes produced by differences in ligand properties is reported. In particular, complexes 4-6 show smaller C-M-C bond angles and contain secondary ligand interactions that are not seen in the analogous complexes 1-3 and 7-9.