Structural evidence for metalloaromaticity in a new molecular complex with the divergent ligand 4,4′-dipyridyldisulfide

A new molecular compound, cis-[ZnL2(4-dpds)2] (L = 2-methyllactate(-1) and 4-dpds = 4,4′-dipyridyldisulfide) (1) has been prepared by reaction of Zn(II) 2-methyllactate with the 4-dpds ligand. X-ray structural analysis has revealed that 4-dpds acts as monodentate terminal ligand and has provided structural evidence for the metalloaromaticity of the chelate ring. Hydrogen bonding interactions join the molecules of 1 to generate a 3D supramolecular network. The thermal behaviour has been investigated.