[Pd{2-CH2-5-MeC6H3C(H)double bond; length as m-dashNNdouble bond; length as m-dashC(S)NHEt}]3: An unprecedented trinuclear cyclometallated palladium(II) cluster through induced flexibility in the metallated ring

The reaction of 1-(2,5-dimethylbenzylidene)-3-ethylthiosemicarbazone and palladium acetate in acetic acid yields a trinuclear cyclometallated palladium(II) compound. Each thiosemicarbazone ligand is tridentate with the metal bonded to the carbon atom from the 2-methyl group, to the azomethine nitrogen and to the sulfur atom, which bridges to an adjacent palladium center. The crystal structure confirms the presence of a non-planar hexagonal metallated ring plus a central six-membered palladium–sulfur core within the trimer, which also displays a rather deep intramolecular cavity.