Structural characterization of a new metallopolymer complex of 1,10-phenanthroline and nitrate [Cu(C12H8N2)(NO3)2]n

Abstract

A new mixed-ligand copper(II) complex of 1,10-phenanthroline and nitrate ligands [Cu(C₁₂H₈N₂)(NO₃)₂]_n is prepared and its crystal structure is determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n, with unit cell dimensions a = 8.8226(3) Å, b = 9.1462(1) Å, c = 17.2507(4) Å, β = 101.680(2)°, Z = 4, V = 1363.19(6) ų. The crystal structure is solved by the Patterson method and refined by full-matrix least squares treatment on F² to final values R1 = 0.0447 and wR2 = 0.1053. The Cu^II ions are five-coordinated in a CuO₃N₂ environment, giving a distorted square-based pyramidal geometry. The Cu…Cu distance in the [Cu(C₁₂H₈N₂)(NO₃)₂]_n zigzag polymeric chain is 5.258(1) Å. The structure of the title compound is polymeric and consists of layers running parallel to (10\(\bar 1\)), interconnected by π–π interactions, strong enough to form a three-dimensional framework with tunnels along the a axis.