Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of the trigonal-bipyramidal complex tris-(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κO)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II).

Reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide in a 1:3 ratio in n-butanol leads to the formation of crystals of tris-(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κO)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II), [Co(NCS)2(C6H7NO)3]. The asymmetric unit of the title compound consists of one CoII cation two thio-cyanate anions and three crystallographically independent 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands in general positions. The CoII cations are trigonal-bipyramidally coordinated by two terminal N-bonding thio-cyanate anions in the trans-positions and three 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands into discrete complexes. These complexes are linked by inter-molecular C-H⋯S inter-actions into double chains that elongate in the c-axis direction. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements prove that all batches are always contaminated with an additional and unknown crystalline phase. Thermogravimetry and differential analysis of crystals selected by hand reveal that the title compound decomposes at about 229°C in an exothermic reaction. At about 113°C a small endothermic signal is observed that, according to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, is irreversible. PXRD measurements of the residue prove that a poorly crystalline and unknown phase has formed and thermomicroscopy indicates that some phase transition occurs that is accompanied with a color change of the title compound.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of the dinuclear complex bis-(µ-4-methylpyridine N-oxide-κ2O:O)bis-[(methanol-κO)(4-methylpyridine N-oxide-κO)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II)].

Reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide in methanol leads to the formation of crystals of the title compound, [Co2(NCS)4(C6H7NO)4(CH4O)2] or Co2(NCS)4(4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide)4(methanol)2. The asymmetric unit consist of one CoII cation, two thio-cyanate anions, two 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands and one methanol mol-ecule in general positions. The H atoms of one of the methyl groups are disordered and were refined using a split model. The CoII cations octa-hedrally coordinate two terminal N-bonded thio-cyanate anions, three 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands and one methanol mol-ecule. Each two CoII cations are linked by pairs of µ-1,1(O,O)-bridging 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands into dinuclear units that are located on centers of inversion. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) investigations prove that the title compound is contaminated with a small amount of Co(NCS)2(4-meth-yl-pyridine N-oxide)3. Thermogravimetric investigations reveal that the methanol mol-ecules are removed in the beginning, leading to a compound with the composition Co(NCS)2(4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide), which has been reported in the literature and which is of poor crystallinity.

Synthesis and crystal structure of diiso-thio-cyanato-tetra-kis-(4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide)cobalt(II) and diiso-thio-cyanato-tris-(4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide)cobalt(II) showing two different metal coordination polyhedra.

The reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide (C6H7NO) leads to the formation of two compounds, namely, tetra-kis-(4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κO)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II), [Co(NCS)2(C6H7NO)4] (1), and tris-(4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κO)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II), [Co(NCS)2(C6H7NO)3] (2). The asymmetric unit of 1 consists of one CoII cation located on a centre of inversion, as well as one thio-cyanate anion and two 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands in general positions. The CoII cations are octa-hedrally coordinated by two terminal N-bonding thio-cyanate anions in trans positions and four 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide ligands. In the extended structure, these complexes are linked by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯S inter-actions. In compound 2, two crystallographically independent complexes are present, which occupy general positions. In each of these complexes, the CoII cations are coordinated in a trigonal-bipyramidal manner by two terminal N-bonding thio-cyanate anions in axial positions and by three 4-methyl-pyridine N-oxide ligands in equatorial positions. In the crystal, these complex mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯S inter-actions. For compound 2, a nonmerohedral twin refinement was performed. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) reveals that 2 was nearly obtained as a pure phase, which is not possible for compound 1. Differential thermoanalysis and thermogravimetry data (DTA-TG) show that compound 2 start to decompose at about 518 K.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of di-bromido-bis-(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κO)cobalt(II).

Reaction of CoBr2 with 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide in n-butanol leads to the formation of the title compound, [CoBr2(C6H7NO)2] or [CoBr2(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide)2]. Its asymmetric unit consists of one CoII cation as well as two bromide anions and two 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands in general positions. The CoII cations are tetra-hedrally coordinated by two bromide anions and two 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxides, forming discrete complexes. In the crystal structure, these complexes are linked predominantly by weak C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonding into chains that propagate along the crystallographic a-axis. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements indicate that a pure phase was obtained. Thermoanalytical investigations prove that the title compound melts before decomposition; before melting, a further endothermic signal of unknown origin was observed that does not correspond to a phase transition.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of poly[(µ-2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κ2O:O)bis-(µ-thio-cyanato-κ2N:S)cobalt(II)].

The title compound, [Co(NCS)2(C6H7NO)]n or Co(NCS)2(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide), was prepared by the reaction of Co(NCS)2 and 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide in methanol. All crystals obtained by this procedure show reticular pseudo-merohedric twinning, but after recrystallization, one crystal was found that had a minor component with only a very few overlapping reflections. The asymmetric unit consists of one CoII cation, two thio-cyanate anions and one 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligand in general positions. The CoII cations are octa-hedrally coordinated by two O-bonding 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide ligands, as well as two S- and two N-bonding thio-cyanate anions, and are connected via µ-1,3(N,S)-bridging thio-cyanate anions into chains that are linked by µ-1,1(O,O) bridging coligands into layers. No pronounced directional inter-molecular inter-actions are observed between the layers. The 2-methyl-pyridine coligand is disordered over two orientations and was refined using a split model with restraints. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) indicates that a pure sample was obtained and IR spectroscopy confirms that bridging thio-cyanate anions are present. Thermogravimetry and differential thermoanalysis (TG-DTA) shows one poorly resolved mass loss in the TG curve that is accompanied by an exothermic and an endothermic signal in the DTA curve, which indicate the decomposition of the 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of poly[[µ-1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene-κ2N:N'-µ-bromido-copper(I)] 1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene 0.25-solvate].

The reaction of copper(I) bromide with 1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene in aceto-nitrile leads to the formation of the title compound, {[CuBr(C12H10N2)]·0.25C12H10N2}n or CuBr(4-bpe)·0.25(4-bpe) [4-bpe = 1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene]. The asymmetric unit consists of one copper(I) cation and one bromide anion in general positions as well as two crystallographically independent half 4-bpe ligands and a quarter of a disordered 4-bpe solvate mol-ecule that are completed by centers of inversion. The copper(I) cations are tetra-hededrally coordinated as CuBr2N2 and linked by pairs of µ-1,1-bridging bromide anions into centrosymmetric dinuclear units that are further connected into layers by the 4-bpe coligands. Between the layers, inter-layer C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonding is observed. The layers are arranged in such a way that cavities are formed in which the disordered 4-bpe solvate mol-ecules are located. Powder X-ray (PXRD) investigations reveal that a pure sample has been obtained. Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermoanalysis (DTA) measurements show two mass losses that are accompanied by endothermic events in the DTA curve. The first mass loss correspond to the removal of 0.75 4-bpe mol-ecules, leading to the formation of (CuBr)2(4-bpe), already reported in the literature as proven by PXRD.

Synthesis, crystal structure and reactivity of bis-(µ-2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κ2O:O)bis-[di-bromido-(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide-κO)cobalt(II)] butanol monosolvate.

Reaction of CoBr2 with 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide in n-butanol leads to the formation of the title compound, [CoBr2]2(2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide)4·n-butanol or [Co2Br4(C6H7NO)4]·C4H10O. The asymmetric unit of the title compound consists of one CoII cation as well as two bromide anions and two 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands in general positions and one n-butanol mol-ecule that is disordered around a center of inversion. The CoII cations are fivefold coordinated by two bromide anions and one terminal as well as two bridging 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide and linked by two symmetry-related µ-1,1(O,O) 2-methyl-pyridine N-oxide coligands into dinuclear units that are located on centers of inversion. In the crystal structure, the dinuclear units are also connected via pairs of C-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds into chains that elongate in the b-axis direction. The n-butanol mol-ecules are located between the chains and are linked via O-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds each to one chain. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements reveal that a pure phase has been obtained. Measurements using thermogravimetry and differential thermoanalysis shows one mass loss up to 523 K, in which the n-butanol mol-ecules are removed. PXRD measurements of the residue obtained after n-butanol removal shows that a completely different crystalline phase has been obtained and IR investigations indicate significant structural changes in the Co coordination.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of tetra-kis-(pyridine-3-carbo-nitrile)-dithio-cyanatoiron(II) and of diaqua-bis-(pyridine-3-carbo-nitrile)-di-thio-cyanatoiron(II) pyridine-3-carbo-nitrile monosolvate.

The reaction of iron thio-cyanate with 3-cyano-pyridine (C6H4N2) leads to the formation of two compounds with the composition [Fe(NCS)2(C6H4N2)4] (1) and [Fe(NCS)2(C6H4N2)2(H2O)2]·2C6H4N2 (2). The asymmetric unit of 1 consists of one iron cation, two thio-cyanate anions and four 3-cyano-pyridine ligands in general positions. The iron cation is octa-hedrally coordinated by two N-bonded thio-cyanate anions and four 3-cyano-pyridine ligands. The complexes are arranged in columns along the crystallographic c-axis direction and are linked by weak C-H⋯N inter-actions. In 2, the asymmetric unit consists of one iron cation on a center of inversion as well as one thio-cyanate anion, one 3-cyano-pyridine ligand, one water ligand and one 3-cyano-pyridine solvate mol-ecule in general positions. The iron cation is octa-hedrally coordinated by two N-bonded thio-cyanate anions, two cyano-pyridine ligands and two water ligands. O-H⋯N and C-H⋯S hydrogen bonding is observed between the water ligands and the solvent 3-cyano-pyridine mol-ecules. In the crystal structure, alternating layers of the iron complexes and the solvated 3-cyano-pyridine mol-ecules are observed. Powder X-ray (PXRD) investigations reveal that both compounds were obtained as pure phases and from IR spectroscopic measurements conclusions on the coordination mode of the thio-canate anions and the cyano-group were made. Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermoanalysis (DTA) of 1 indicate the formation of a compound with the composition {[Fe(NCS)2]3(C6H4N2)4}n that is isotypic to the corresponding Cd compound already reported in the literature. TG/DTA of 2 show several mass losses. The first mass loss corresponds to the removal of the two water ligands leading to the formation of 1, which transforms into {[Fe(NCS)2]3(C6H4N2)4}n, upon further heating.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal behavior of tetra-kis-(3-cyano-pyridine N-oxide-κO)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II), which shows strong pseudo-symmetry.

The title compound, [Co(SCN)2(C6H4N2O)4], was prepared by the reaction of cobalt(II)thio-cyanate with 3-cyano-pyridine N-oxide in ethanol. In the crystal, the cobalt(II) cations are octa-hedrally coordinated by two terminal N-bonded thio-cyanate anions and four O-bonded 3-cyano-pyridine N-oxide coligands, forming discrete complexes that are located on centers of inversion, hence forming trans-CoN2O4 octa-hedra. The structure refinement was performed in the monoclinic space group P21/n, for which a potential lattice translation and new symmetry elements with a fit of 100% is suggested. The structure can easily be refined in the space group I2/m, where the complexes have 2/m symmetry. However, nearly all of the reflections that violate the centering are observed with significant intensity and the refinement in P21/n leads to significantly lower R(F) values (0.027 versus 0.033). Moreover, in I2/m much larger components of the anisotropic displacement parameters are observed and therefore, the crystal structure is presented in the primitive unit cell. IR investigations confirm that the anionic ligands are only terminally bonded and that the cyano group is not involved in the metal coordination. PXRD investigations show that a pure crystalline phase has been obtained and measurements using simultaneously thermogravimetry and differential thermoanalysis reveal that the compound decomposes in an exothermic reaction upon heating, without the formation of a coligand-deficient inter-mediate phase.

Synthesis and crystal structure of catena-poly[cobalt(II)-di-µ-chlorido-µ-pyridazine-κ2N1:N2].

The reaction of cobalt dichloride hexa-hydrate with pyridazine leads to the formation of crystals of the title compound, [CoCl2(C4H4N2)]n. This compound is isotypic to a number of compounds with other divalent metal ions. Its asymmetric unit consists of a Co2+ atom (site symmetry 2/m), a chloride ion (site symmetry m) and a pyridazine mol-ecule (all atoms with site symmetry m). The Co2+ cations are coordinated by four chloride anions and two pyridazine ligands, generating trans-CoN4Cl2 octa-hedra, and are linked into [010] chains by pairs of µ-1,1-bridging chloride anions and bridging pyridazine ligands. In the crystal structure, the pyridazine ligands of neighboring chains are stacked onto each other, indicating π-π inter-actions. Powder X-ray diffraction proves that a pure crystalline phase was obtained. Differential thermonalysis coupled to thermogravimetry (DTA-TG) reveal that decomposition is observed at about 710 K. Magnetic measurements indicate low-temperature metamagnetic behavior as already observed in a related compound.

Syntheses, crystal structures and thermal properties of catena-poly[cadmium(II)-di-µ-bromido-µ-pyridazine-κ2 N 1:N 2] and catena-poly[cadmium(II)-di-µ-iodido-µ-pyridazine-κ2 N 1:N 2].

The reactions of cadmium bromide and cadmium iodide with pyridazine (C4H4N2) in ethanol under solvothermal conditions led to the formation of crystals of [CdBr2(pyridazine)] n (1) and [CdI2(pyridazine)] n (2), which were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The asymmetric units of both compounds consist of a cadmium cation located on the inter-section point of a twofold screw axis and a mirror plane (2/m), a halide anion that is located on a mirror plane and a pyridazine ligand, with all atoms occupying Wyckoff position 4e (mm2). These compounds are isotypic and consist of cadmium cations that are octa-hedrally coordinated by four halide anions and two pyridazine ligands and are linked into [100] chains by pairs of µ-1,1-bridging halide anions and bridging pyridazine ligands. In the crystals, the pyridazine ligands of neighboring chains are stacked onto each other, indicating π-π inter-actions. Larger amounts of pure samples can also be obtained by stirring at room-temperature, as proven by powder X-ray diffraction. Measurements using thermogravimetry and differential thermoanalysis (TG-DTA) reveal that upon heating all the pyridiazine ligands are removed in one step, which leads to the formation of CdBr2 or CdI2.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of bis-(iso-seleno-cyanato-κN)tetra-kis-(4-meth-oxy-pyridine-κN)cobalt(II).

Reaction of CoCl2·6H2O with KNCSe and 4-meth-oxy-pyridine in water led to the formation of the title compound, [Co(NCSe)2(C6H7NO)4] or Co(NCSe)2(4-meth-oxy-pyridine)2, which was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Its asymmetric unit consists of one crystallographically independent Co cation, two seleno-cyanate anions and four 4-meth-oxy-pyridine coligands in general positions. In the crystal structure, the cobalt cations are sixfold coordinated by two terminal N-bonded seleno-cyanate anions and four 4-meth-oxy-pyridine coligands within a slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination. Between the complexes, weak C-H⋯Se inter-actions are found. IR spectroscopic investigations revealed that the CN stretching vibration of the anionic ligands is observed at 2068 cm-1, which is in agreement with the presence of only terminally coordinated seleno-cyanate anions. PXRD measurements prove that a pure compound was obtained. Differential thermoanalysis coupled to thermogravimetry (DTA-TG) at different heating rates shows that the TG curves are poorly resolved. PXRD measurements of the residue obtained by a TG measurement prove that an amorphous compound was obtained.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of di-µ-iodido-bis-[bis-(2-chloro-pyrazine-κN)copper(I)].

Reaction of copper(I) iodide in pure 2-chloro-pyrazine leads to the formation of a few crystals of the title compound, [Cu2I2(C4H3ClN2)4] or (CuI)2(2-chloro-pyrazine)4, which was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In its crystal structure, the CuI cations are each tetra-hedrally coordinated by two iodide anions and two 2-chloro-pyrazine ligands and are linked into binuclear complexes consisting of (CuI)2 rings located on centers of inversion. PXRD investigations of a few crystals obtained from the suspension indicate that the title compound is contaminated with a small amount of the 2-chloro-pyrazine-deficient compound CuI(2-chloro-pyrazine) already reported in the literature. PXRD investigations prove that the title compound immediately decomposes at room temperature into CuI(2-chloro-pyrazine) and this might be the reason why no pure samples can be obtained. TDA-TG-MS investigations shows two mass losses, the first of which corresponds to the formation of CuI(2-chloro-pyrazine), whereas in the second mass loss CuI is formed.

Syntheses and crystal structures of bis-(4-methyl-pyridine-κN)bis-(seleno-cyanato-κN)zinc(II) and catena-poly[[bis-(4-methyl-pyridine-κN)cadmium(II)]-di-µ-seleno-cyanato-κ2 N:Se;κ2 Se:N].

The reactions of Zn(NO3)2 .6H2O and Cd(NO3)2 .4H2O with KSeCN and 4-meth-yl-pyridine (C6H7N; 4-picoline) lead to the formation of crystals of bis-(4-methyl-pyridine-κN)bis-(seleno-cyanato-κN)zinc(II), [Cd(NCSe)2(C6H7N)2] (1), and catena-poly[[bis-(4-methyl-pyridine-κN)cadmium(II)]-di-µ-seleno-cyanato-κ2 N:Se;κ2 Se:N], [Cd(NCSe)2(C6H7N)2] n (2), suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The asymmetric unit of compound 1 consists of one Zn cation that is located on a twofold rotation axis as well as one seleno-cyanate anion and one 4-methyl-pyridine ligand in general positions. The Zn cations are tetra-hedrally coordinated by two terminal N-bonding thio-cyanate anions and two 4-methyl-pyridine ligands, forming discrete complexes. The asymmetric unit of compound 2 consists of two crystallographically independent Cd cations, of which one is located on a twofold rotation axis and the second on a center of inversion, as well as two crystallographically independent seleno-cyanate anions and two crystallographically independent 4-methyl-pyridine ligands in general positions. The Cd cations are octa-hedrally coordinated by two N- and two S-bonding seleno-cyanate anions and two 4-methyl-pyridine ligands and are linked into chains by pairs of seleno-cyanate anions. Within the chains, the Cd cations show an alternating cis-cis-trans and all-trans coordination and therefore, the chains are corrugated. PXRD investigations prove that the Zn compound was obtained as a pure phase and that the Cd compound contains a very small amount of an additional and unknown phase. In the IR spectrum of 1, the CN stretching vibration of the seleno-cyanate anion is observed at 2072 cm-1, whereas in the 2 it is shifted to 2094 cm-1, in agreement with the crystal structures.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of bis-(aceto-nitrile-κN)bis-(3-bromo-pyridine-κN)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)cobalt(II).

Single crystals of the title compound, [Co(NCS)2(C5H4BrN)2(C2H3N)2], were obtained by the reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 3-bromo-pyridine in aceto-nitrile. The CoII cations lie on crystallographic inversion centers and are coordinated by two N-bonded thio-cyanate anions, two 3-bromo-pyridine and two aceto-nitrile ligands thereby forming slightly distorted CoN6 octa-hedra. In the crystal, these complexes are linked by C-H⋯S and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network. In the direction of the crystallographic b-axis, the complexes are arranged into columns with neighboring 3-bromo-pyridine ligands stacked onto each other, indicating π-π inter-actions. The CN stretching vibration of the thio-cyanate anions is observed at 2066 cm-1, in agreement with the presence of only N-bonded anionic ligands. TG-DTA measurements reveal that in the first mass loss the aceto-nitrile ligands are removed and that in the second step, half of a 3-bromo-pyridine ligand is lost, leading to the formation of a polymeric compound with the composition [(Co(NCS)2)2(C5H4BrN)3] n already reported in the literature.

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of tetra-kis-(3-methyl-pyridine-κN)bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)nickel(II).

Reaction of Ni(NCS)2 with 3-methyl-pyridine in water leads to the formation of crystals of the title compound, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H7N)4]. All of them are of poor quality and non-merohedrally twinned but a refinement using data in HKLF-5 format leads to a reasonable structure model and reliability factors. The crystal structure of the title compound consists of discrete complexes, in which the nickel cations are sixfold coordinated by two terminal N-bonded thio-cyanate anions and four 3-methyl-pyridine ligands within slightly distorted octa-hedra. One of the 3-methyl-pyridine ligands is disordered and was refined using a split model. The discrete complexes are arranged into layers. X-ray powder diffraction proves that pure samples have been obtained, and in the IR spectrum, the CN stretching vibration is observed at 2072 cm-1, in agreement with the presence of only terminally coordinated thio-cyanate anions. Comparing the calculated powder pattern with those of the residues obtained by solvent removal from several solvates already reported in the literature proves that, in each case, this crystalline phase is formed. Assessing the crystal structures of the solvates in comparison with that of the ansolvate reveals some similarities.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of chlorido-tetra-kis-(pyridine-3-carbo-nitrile)-thio-cyanato-iron(II).

Reaction of FeCl2·4H2O with KSCN and 3-cyano-pyridine (pyridine-3-carbo-nitrile) in ethanol accidentally leads to the formation of single crystals of Fe(NCS)(Cl)(3-cyano-pyridine)4 or [FeCl(NCS)(C6H4N2)4]. The asymmetric unit of this compound consists of one FeII cation, one chloride and one thio-cyanate anion that are located on a fourfold rotation axis as well as of one 3-cyano-pyridine coligand in a general position. The FeII cations are sixfold coordinated by one chloride anion and one terminally N-bonding thio-cyanate anion in trans-positions and four 3-cyano-pyridine coligands that coordinate via the pyridine N atom to the FeII cations. The complexes are arranged in columns with the chloride anions, with the thio-cyanate anions always oriented in the same direction, which shows the non-centrosymmetry of this structure. No pronounced inter-molecular inter-actions are observed between the complexes. Initially, FeCl2 and KSCN were reacted in a 1:2 ratio, which lead to a sample that contains the title compound as the major phase together with a small amount of an unknown crystalline phase, as proven by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). If FeCl2 and KSCN is reacted in a 1:1 ratio, the title compound is obtained as a nearly pure phase. IR investigations reveal that the CN stretching vibration for the thio-cyanate anion is observed at 2074 cm-1, and that of the cyano group at 2238 cm-1, which also proves that the anionic ligands are only terminally bonded and that the cyano group is not involved in the metal coordination. Measurements with thermogravimetry and differential thermoanalysis reveal that the title compound decomposes at 169°C when heated at a rate of 4°C min-1 and that the 3-cyano-pyridine ligands are emitted in two separate poorly resolved steps. After the first step, an inter-mediate compound with the composition Fe(NCS)(Cl)(3-cyano-pyridine)2 of unknown structure is formed, for which the CN stretching vibration of the thio-cyanate anion is observed at 2025 cm-1, whereas the CN stretching vibration of the cyano group remain constant. This strongly indicates that the FeII cations are linked by µ-1,3-bridg-ing thio-cyanate anions into chains or layers.

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of catena-poly[[[bis-(3-methyl-pyridine-κN)nickel(II)]-di-µ-1,3-thio-cyanato] aceto-nitrile monosolvate].

In the crystal structure of the title compound, {[Ni(NCS)2(C6H7N)2]·CH3CN} n , the NiII cation is octa-hedrally coordinated by two N-bonding and two S-bonding thio-cyanate anions, as well as two 3-methyl-pyridine coligands, with the thio-cyanate S atoms and the 3-methyl-pyridine N atoms in cis-positions. The metal cations are linked by pairs of thio-cyanate anions into chains that, because of the cis-cis-trans coordination, are corrugated. These chains are arranged in such a way that channels are formed in which disordered aceto-nitrile solvate mol-ecules are located. This overall structural motif is very similar to that observed in Ni(NCS)2[4-(boc-amino)-pyridine]2·CH3CN reported in the literature. At room temperature, the title compound loses its solvent mol-ecules within a few hours, leading to a crystalline phase that is structurally related to that of the pristine material. If the ansolvate is stored in an aceto-nitrile atmosphere, the solvate is formed again. Single-crystal X-ray analysis at room-temperature proves that the crystals decompose immediately, presumably because of the loss of solvent mol-ecules, and from the reciprocal space plots it is obvious that this reaction, in contrast to that in Ni(NCS)2[4-(boc-amino)-pyridine]2·CH3CN, does not proceed via a topotactic reaction.

Co(NCS)2 Chain Compound with Alternating 5- and 6-Fold Coordination: Influence of Metal Coordination on the Magnetic Properties.

The reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 3-bromopyridine leads to the formation of discrete complexes [Co(NCS)2(3-bromopyridine)4] (1), [Co(NCS)2(3-bromopyridine)2(H2O)2] (2), and [Co(NCS)2(3-bromopyridine)2(MeOH)2] (3) depending on the solvent. Thermogravimetric measurements on 2 and 3 show a transformation into [Co(NCS)2(3-bromopyridine)2]n (4), which upon further heating is converted to [{Co(NCS)2}2(3-bromopyridine)3]n (5), whereas 1 transforms directly into 5 upon heating. Compound 5 can also be obtained from solution, which is not possible for 4. In 4 and 5, the cobalt(II) cations are linked by pairs of µ-1,3-bridging thiocyanate anions into chains. In compound 4, all cobalt(II) cations are octahedrally coordinated (OC-6), as is usually observed in such compounds, whereas in 5, a previously unkown alternating 5- and 6-fold coordination is observed, leading to vacant octahedral (vOC-5) and octahedral (OC-6) environments, respectively. In contrast to 4, the chains in 5 are very efficiently packed and linked by π···π stacking of the pyridine rings and interchain Co···Br interactions, which is the basis for the formation of this unusual chain. The spin chains in 4 demonstrate ferromagnetic intrachain exchange and much weaker interchain interactions, as is usually observed for such linear chain compounds. In contrast, compound 5 shows almost single-ion-like magnetic susceptibility, but the magnetic ordering temperature deduced from specific heat measurements is twice as high as that in 4, which might originate from π···π stacking and Co···Br interactions between neighboring chains. More importantly, unlike all linear Co(NCS)2 chain compounds, a dominant antiferromagnetic exchange is observed for 5, which is explained by density functional theory calculations predicting an alternating ferro- and aniferromagnetic exchange within the chains. Theoretical calculations on the two different cobalt(II) ions present in 5 predict an easy-axis anisotropy that is much stronger for the octahedral cobalt(II) ion than for the one with the vacant octahedral coordination, with the magnetic axes of the two ions being canted by an angle of 84°. This almost orthogonal orientation of the easy axis of magnetization for the two cobalt(II) ions is the rationale for the observed non-Ising behavior of 5.

Syntheses and crystal structures of the ethanol, acetonitrile and diethyl ether Werner clathrates bis-(iso-thio-cyanato-κN)tetra-kis-(3-methyl-pyridine-κN)nickel(II).

The reaction of nickel(II)thio-cyanate with 3-methyl-pyridine (3-picoline; C6H7N) in different solvents leads to the formation of crystals of bis-(iso-thio-cyanato-κN)tetra-kis-(3-methyl-pyridine-κN)nickel(II) as the ethanol disolvate, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H7N)4]·2C2H5OH (1), the acetonitrile disolvate, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H7N)4]·2CH3CN (2), and the diethyl ether monosolvate, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H7N)4]·C4H10O (3). The crystal structures of these compounds consist of NiII cations coordinated by two N-bonded thio-cyanate anions and four 3-methyl-pyridine ligands to generate NiN6 octa-hedra with the thio-cyanate groups in a trans orientation. In compounds 1 and 2 these complexes are located on centers of inversion, whereas in compound 3, they occupy general positions. In the crystal structures, the complexes are packed in such a way that cavities are formed in which the solvent mol-ecules are located. Compounds 1 and 2 are isotypic, which is not the case for compound 3. In compounds 1 and 2 the solvate mol-ecules are disordered, whereas they are fully ordered in compound 3. Disorder is also observed for one of the 3-methyl-pyridine ligands in compound 2. Powder X-ray diffraction and IR measurements show that at room temperature all compounds decompose almost immediately into the same phase, as a result of the loss of the solvent mol-ecules.