The crystal and molecular structure of the bis(thiocyanato)-bis(4-methylpyridine)copper(II) complex at 180 K

Abstract

At 180 K, [Cu(4-Mepy)2(NCS)2] crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21, Z = 6, with the elementary cell parameters a = 0.963(1), b = 2.653(2), c = 0.984(2) nm, β = 106.40(0.07)°. The central atom possesses the tetragonal bipyramidal coordination; the heterocyclic ligands are bonded in the equatorial plane of the coordination polyhedron in the trans positions, the thiocyanate ligands are bridge ones and are coordinated in both the equatorial and axial positions of the coordination polyhedron. The crystal structure involves three symmetrically independent coordination polyhedra differing in the degree of axial distortion. The thermal stability of the thiocyanate ligands in the complex is related with the steric arrangement of the thiocyanatocopper(II) chains.