Crystal structure, synthesis and thermal properties of tetrakis(4-benzoylpyridine-κN)bis(isothiocyanato-κN)iron(II)

Abstract

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Fe(NCS)2(C12H9NO)4], consists of an FeII ion that is located on a centre of inversion, as well as two 4-benzoylpyridine ligands and one thiocyanate anion in general positions. The FeII ions are coordinated by two N-terminal-bonded thiocyanate anions and four 4-benzoylpyridine ligands into discrete complexes with a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. These complexes are further linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the c-axis direction. Upon heating, this complex loses half of the 4-benzoylpyridine ligands and transforms into a compound with the composition Fe(NCS)2(4-benzoylpyridine)2, that might be isotypic to the corresponding MnII compound and for which the structure is unknown.