A novel five‐coordinate zinc complex with the tripod ligand tris(2‐(N‐methyl)benzimidazylmethyl)amine (Mentb), with composition [Zn(Mentb)I](ClO4) · 0.5 DMF, were synthesized and characterized by means of elemental and thermal analyses, electrical conductivities, I.R., U.V. and 1H‐N.M.R. spectra. The crystal structure of the zinc complex has been determined by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and show that the ZnII is bonded to a tris(2‐(N‐methyl)benzimidazylmethyl)amine (Mentb) ligand and an iodide through four N atoms and one I atom, giving a trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination geometry (τ=1.07), with approximate C 3 molecular symmetry.
The authors acknowledge the financially support and grant from Qing Lan Talent Engineering Funds by Lanzhou Jiaotong University. The grant from the Middle‐Young Age Science Foundation of Gansu Province (grant no. 3YS061‐A25–023) is also acknowledged.