“…However, its presence caused no harm; moreover, it was a prerequisite of complex formation. [5][6][7] The accumulated experimental results allowed us to propose a novel mechanism for the formation of the complex having three steps: (i) in the first step occurring in the solid-state, Zn(RCOO) 2 , a planar polymeric structure is formed, (ii) the polymeric structure remains but transforms to a chain during dissolution, and, finally, (iii) the polymeric structure is in equilibrium with Zn 4 O(RCOO) 6 . Water shifts the equilibrium toward complex formation, and the lack of interaction between the carboxylate chains also favors the formation of the complex.…”