This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of: Dittrich, D., Tewes, H., Wölper, C. et al. Preparation, catalytical activity and crystal structure of a heptanuclear zinc acetate cluster. Transit Met Chem 42(2017), 237–241. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11243-017-0127-y