Direct reaction of [Zn(OH)(L)]+, L = cis,cis-1,3,5-tris[(E,E)-3-(2-furyl)acrylideneamino]cyclohexane, with methanol gives a mixture of the starting material and [Zn(OMe)(L)]+; structural analysis of the complexes shows that they are models of reactive intermediates in the catalytic cycles of the zinc enzymes carbonic anhydrase and liver alcohol dehydrogenase.