The synthesis and structure of [Zn(TEMPO)2]2 and [Zn(μ-H)(μ2-η1:η1-TEMPO)]6

The commercially available radical TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-yloxy) reacts with [ZnCp*(2)] (1) to yield the homoleptic compound [Zn(TEMPO)(2)](2) (2) through coupling of two Cp* radicals. Compound 1 reacts with H-2 to afford the hydride complex [Zn(mu-H)(mu(2)-eta(1)-eta(1)-TEMPO)](6) (3) featuring a planar Zn6H6 ring in the solid state. Preliminary data suggest that the formation of 3 proceeds via a radical mechanism.