Phenoxazinyl Zn(II) diradical complex formed via redox-driven cyclization of a 2-aminophenol-based N 3 O ligand. Isolation of the modified N 3 ligand radical and its Ni(II) complex.

Aerobic reaction between the pyridine-2-carboxamide-2-aminophenol N 3 O ligand (H 3 L 1 ) and Zn(ClO 4 ) 2 ·6H 2 O in CH 3 CN affords an N 3 phenoxazinylate coordinated Zn(II) complex; its diradical electronic structure [Zn II {(L 1 *)˙ - } 2 ] has been elucidated from redox, spectroscopic (UV-VIS and EPR), and magnetic measurements and DFT calculations. Isolation and characterization of the metal-assisted redox-driven modified N 3 ligand as a radical cation (H 2 L 1 *)˙ + and its Ni(II)-diradical complex [Ni II {(L 1 *)˙ - } 2 ] have also been achieved.