(Nitrato-κ2 O,O′)bis(1,10-phenanthroline- κ2 N,N′)copper(II) tricyanomethanide

Abstract

The title compound, [Cu(NO3)(C12H8N2)2][C(CN)3], is formed of discrete [Cu(NO3)(phen)2]+ complex cations (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) and C(CN)3 - counter-anions. The CuII atom has an asymmetric tetragonal-bipyramidal (4 + 1+1) stereochemistry with a pseudo-C 2 symmetry axis bisecting the nitrate ligand and passing through the CuII atom between the two phen ligands. The four N atoms of the phen ligands coordinate to the CuII atom with Cu-N distances in the range 1.974 (2)-2.126 (2) Å, while the two O atoms coordinate at substantially different distances [2.154 (2) and 2.586 (2) Å]. The structure is stabilized by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak π-π interactions between nearly parallel benzene and pyridine rings of two adjacent phen molecules, with centroid-centroid distances of 3.684 (2) and 3.6111 (2) Å, and between π-electrons of the tricyanomethanide anion and the pyridine or benzene rings [N⋯(ring centroid) distances = 3.553 (3)-3.875 (3) Å].