exo-[(RS,SR)-N,N′-Bis(salicylidene)-2,3-butanediaminato] oxovanadium(IV)

The thermally more stable isomer of the title complex, {2,2′-[(RS,SR)-2,3-butanediylbis (nitrilomethylidene)]diphenolato-O,N,N′,O′}oxovanadium(IV), [VO(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₂)] or [VO(sal-meso-bn)] [H₂sal-meso-bn is (RS,SR)-N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-2,3-butanediamine], in the solid state, has been determined to be the exo isomer. The two methyl groups of the central diamine moiety in the Schiff base ligand are on the same side of the N₂O_oxo plane of the VN₂O₃ square pyramid as the oxo ligand. The V=O distance is 1.595 (2) Å, and the V atom is displaced by 0.50 (1) Å toward the oxo ligand from the N₂O₂ basal plane. There is an intermolecular V⋯O_salicyl close contact of 2.972 (2) Å, which is trans to the V=O bond.