A penta-coordinated zinc complex containing a bio-mimetic NS2S′2 (thiolate–thioether) ligand

The pentadentate, dianionic ligand 2,6-bis(2′-mercaptophenylthio)dimethylpyridine, NS2S′2 2−, which contains two thioether (S) and two thiophenolate (S′) functions, reacts with [V2(μ-Cl)3(thf)6]2[Zn2Cl6] to form the zinc complex [Zn(NS2S′2)]·CH2Cl2. The relevance of this compound as a model for ZnS and ZnS′ binding in biomolecules is addressed.