Interconversion between Polymeric and Monomeric Forms of Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes with Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligands Derived from (R,R)-2,4-Pentanediamine

New tetradentate Schiff base-oxovanadium(IV) complexes, [VO{3-Xsal-(R,R)-2,4-ptn}] (H₂{3-Xsal(R,F)-2,4-ptn}: N,N'-di-3-Xsalicylidene-(R,R)-2,4-pentanediamine; X = EtO (ethoxy), MeO (methoxy), and H) were prepared and characterized. Only an orange polymeric form was obtained for the 3-methoxy and nonsubstituted (X = H) complexes. Both orange polymeric (1) and green monomeric (2) crystals were obtained for the 3-ethoxy substituted complex. X-ray structure analyses of 1 and 2 were carried out. Crystal data: [VO{3-EtOsal-(R,R)-2,4-ptn}]·H₂O (1), VO₆N₂C₂₃H₃₀, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 13.764(4) Å,b = 21.544(4) Å, c = 7.682(5) Å, Z = 4; [VO{3-EtOsal-(R,R)-2,4-ptn}] (2), VO₅N₂C₂₃H₂₈, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 10.393(2) Å, b = 22.278(2) Å, c = 9.886(2) A, Z = 4. The orange crystals (1) have water of crystallization, and the complexes take a polynuclear linear chain structure (⋯V==O⋯V=O⋯) with a six-membered N-N chelate ring in a chair form. The green crystals (2) have no water of crystallization, and the complexes take a mononuclear square-pyramidal structure with a six-membered N-N chelate ring in a flattened boat form. Upon heating at 170 °C for 10 min, orange 1 turned to green 2, which reverted to orange 1 by suspension in water-acetonitrile. Mechanism of the interconversion between the polymeric and monomeric forms is discussed on the basis of their crystal structures.