Preparation, catalytical activity and crystal structure of a heptanuclear zinc acetate cluster

Reaction of [Zn4(µ4-O)(O2CCH3)6] with one equivalent of 4-tertiary-butylpyridine leads to a nearly quantitative formation of the heptanuclear cluster [Zn7O2(O2CCH3)10(tbupy)2] (1). Here, we present the crystal structure of 1 and first results of the examination of its catalytic activity in transesterification reactions and polymerization of lactide compared to the activity of [Zn4(µ4-O)(O2CCH3)6] in the presence of 4-tertiary-butylpyridine.