(Nitrato-κ2O,O′)bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,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-C2 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].