Preparation and crystal structure of two novel cadmium (II)-trimesates, Cd(HTMA)(NC5H5)2 · 0.5CH3OH · 0.5DMF and Cd(HTMA) · 2H2O

Two novel complexes, Cd(HTMA)(NC₅H₅)₂ · 0.5CH₃OH · 0.5DMF (1) and Cd(HTMA) · 2H₂O (2), of cadmium (II)-trimesates are obtained from slow vapor diffusion and urea hydrolysis, respectively. The Cd(II) centers in the two complexes are bridged by three separate HTMA³⁻ ligands using a same coordination fashion, which contains one monodentate and two chelating bidentate carboxyl groups to form the herringbone-like motif. The herringbone-like motif is further interlinked to construct the two-dimensional Cd(II)-HTMA layer, which is stacked by mutual π-stacking of pyridines for 1 and by hydrogen bond of waters for 2. Thermal stabilities of the two complexes were investigated and the results indicated that Cd(II)-TMA layers in the two complexes are stable still upon 190 °C.     

Investigation of the MSO4 · xH2O (M = Zn, x = 7; M = Cd, x = 8/3)/methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime reaction system: A novel Cd(II) coordination polymer versus mononuclear and dinuclear Zn(II) complexes

The reactions of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime, (py)C(Me)NOH, with MSO₄ · xH₂O (M = Zn, x = 7; M = Cd, x = 8/3), in the absence of an external base, have been investigated. The synthetic study has led to the two new complexes [Zn(SO₄){(py)C(Me)NOH}(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (1 · H₂O) and [Zn₂(SO₄)₂{(py)C(Me)NOH}₄] · (py)C(Me)NOH [2 · (py)C(Me)NOH], and the coordination polymer [Cd(SO₄){(py)C(Me)NOH}(H₂O)]_n · [Cd(SO₄){(py)C(Me)NOH}(H₂O)₂]_n (3). In the three complexes the organic ligand chelates through its nitrogen atoms. The sulfate anion in 1 · H₂O is monodentate; the complex molecule is the mer isomer considering the positions of the aqua ligands. The Zn^II centers in 2 · (py)C(Me)NOH are bridged by two syn, anti η¹:η¹:μ₂ ligands; each metal ion has the cis-cis-trans disposition of the coordinated sulfate oxygen, pyridyl nitrogen and oxime nitrogens, respectively. The molecular structure of 3 is unique consisting of two different linear and ladder - type chains. π-π stacking interactions and/or hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of interesting supramolecular architectures in the three complexes. The thermal decomposition of complex 3 has been studied. Characteristic vibrational (IR, Raman) bands are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and the structures of the three complexes.     

Analysis of the main structural trends for biscyclometalated dinuclear rhodium compounds of general formula Rh2(O2CR)2(PC)2 · 2H2O

A new series of biscyclometalated dinuclear rhodium (II) compounds with the general formula Rh₂(O₂CR)₂(PC)₂ · 2H₂O, being PC = (C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂, R = CH₃ (1 · 2H₂O), PC = [(p-CH₃ OC₆H₃)P(p-CH₃ OC₆H₄)₂], R = CF₃ (2 · 2H₂O), PC = (C₆H₄)P[CH(CH₃)₂]₂, R = CH₃ (3 · 2H₂O) and PC = (C₆H₄)P(C₆H₅)₂, R = C₆F₅ (4 · 2H₂O) has been obtained. The crystal structures for these compounds have been determined by X-ray diffraction and the main structural trends, bond lengths, bond angles and torsion angles have been analyzed, and have also been compared with the structural parameters for different analogous complexes described previously in the literature.     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe(III)(3-CH3O-qsal)2PF6 · nH2O (n = 0, 2)

Compounds Fe^III(3-CH₃O-qsal)₂PF₆ · nH₂O (n = 0, 2) (1, 1 · 2H₂O) were synthesized and characterized: the structure of 1 and the magnetic properties of both compounds were determined. Compound 1 · 2H₂O presents properties characteristic of high-spin Fe(III), while 1 presents properties of low-spin Fe(III) with an onset of a gradual spin crossover at ca. 300 K.     

Versatile reaction of the potential host system [(Me3Sn) 4Ru(CN) 6]∞ with 4-thiopyridone/4-mercaptopyridine in water

Single crystals of three derivatives of the structurally still incompletely characterized coordination polymer [(Me₃Sn)₄Ru(CN)₆] 1b have been prepared and subjected to crystallographic studies: [1b · 4H₂O]=2b forms stacks of puckered _∞²[Ru{μ-CNSn(Me₃)NC}₂] sheets interlinked by hydrogen bonds in making use of two additional CNSn(Me₃)OH₂ ligands and quasi-zeolitic water. Mild drying of 2b leads to the “missing link” between 1b and 2b, [1b · 2H₂O], 3b. The structure of [1b · 2tp] (tp=4-thiopyridone) consists of a three-dimensional, negatively charged host framework comprising (via Sn-S bonds) one “aromatic” thione linkage and a [Me₃Sn · tp]⁺guest ion involving a more zwitterionic form of tp. Slow uptake of Me₃SnCl from the gas phase by an aqueous solution of K₄[Ru(CN)₆] and tp afforded the novel assembly [1b · 2H₂O · 0.8pms · 0.2pds] (pms/pds=4,4^′-dipyridylmono-/disulfide), the supramolecular architecture of which resembles that of 2b. Bridging pms or pds molecules occupy equivalent interlayer sites, and the pms/pds ratio is likely to vary. At least three further assemblies containing again 1b and either tp or pds/pms have likewise been isolated, however, not as single crystals.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures and magnetic properties of dissymmetrical double schiff base heterotrinuclear complexes: [CuL(H2O)CoCuL] · H2O · CH3OH and [(CuL)2Ni] · 2H2O

A dissymmetrical double Schiff base Cu(II) mononuclear complex: CuHL (1) (where H₃L is N-3-carboxylsalicylidene-N^′-salicylaldehyde-1,2-diaminoethane) and two trinuclear complexes: [CuL(H₂O)CoCuL] · H₂O · CH₃OH (2) and [(CuL)₂Ni] · 2H₂O (3) have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectra. The crystal structures of two heterotrinucler complexes were determined by X-ray analysis. Each dissymmetrical cell unit of the complex 2 contains two heterotrinucler neutral molecules. In each neutral molecule, the central Co²⁺ ion is located at the site of O₆ with a distorted octahedral geometry and one terminal Cu²⁺ ion at the four-coordination site of N₂O₂, but the other one at the square-pyramidal environment of N₂O₃. Each dissymmetrical unit of the complex 3 contains a heterotrinucler neutral molecule, whose structure is similar to that of 2 except two terminal Cu²⁺ ions both at the inner site of N₂O₂. The magnetic properties of two heterotrinucler complexes have been determined in the temperature range of 5-300 K, which indicate that the interaction between the central Co²⁺ ion or Ni²⁺ ion and the outer Cu²⁺ ions is antiferromagnetic. The exchange integrals are equal to −26.2 cm⁻¹ for 2 and −50.6 cm⁻¹ for 3.     

A fresh look into VO(salen) chemistry: synthesis, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and crystal structure of [VO(salen)(H2O)]Br · 0.5 CH3CN

The reaction of V^IVO(salen) with [Et₄N][SnBr₃] in air proceeds via an initial reduction to give a [V^III (salen)]⁺ intermediate, which is then oxidised to dark green [V^VO(salen)(H₂O)]Br, 1. As determined by X-ray crystallography, 1 in the solid state contains hexacoordinate vanadium. ⁵¹V NMR spectra indicate that dissociation of the aqua ligand occurs to give a pentacoordinated [V^VO(salen)] cation in methanol-d₄ solution, while in DMSO-d₆ solutions, coordination of the solvent occurs to give [V^VO(salen)(DMSO-d₆)]⁺. The colour of 1 can be accounted for by O_oxo → V^V and phenolate → V^V LMCTs. Results from this study have led to the re-assignment of LMCTs and V-N and V-O_phenolate stretching frequencies in the IR spectrum. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 indicates three redox processes. The first is typical of [VO(salen)]/[VO(salen)]⁺ couple and the other two are bromide oxidations.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic properties, X-ray single crystal analysis and antimicrobial activities of organotin(IV) 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioates

A series of mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes of the types, R₃SnL {R = C₄H₉ (1), C₆H₁₁ (2), CH₃ (3) and C₆H₅ (4)}, R₂SnClL {R = C₄H₉ (5), C₂H₅ (7) and CH₃ (9)} and R₂SnL₂ {R = C₄H₉ (6), C₂H₅ (8) and CH₃ (10)}, have been synthesized, where L = 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioate. The ligand-salt and the complexes have been characterized by Raman, FT-IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy and elemental microanalysis (CHNS). The spectroscopic data substantiate coordination of the ligands to the organotin moieties. The structures of complexes 4 and 6 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and illustrate the asymmetric bidentate bonding of the ligand. The packing diagrams indicate O···H and π···H intermolecular interactions in complex 4 and intermolecular S₂C···H interactions in complex 6, resulting in layer structures for both complexes. A subsequent antimicrobial study indicates that the compounds are active biologically and may well be the basis for a new class of fungicides.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of cyano-bridged cluster-metal layered coordination polymers [Cu(dien)]3[W4Te4(CN)12] · 9H2O and [Ni(en)(NH3)]3[W4Se4(CN)12] · 7.5H2O

Two new tetrahedral tungsten cyanide cluster compounds, [Cu(dien)]₃[W₄Te₄(CN)₁₂] · 9H₂O (1) (dien=diethylenetriamine) and [Ni(en)(NH₃)]₃[W₄Se₄(CN)₁₂] · 7.5H₂O (2) (en=ethylenediamine), were synthesized by treating aqueous solutions of the saltlike cluster compound K₆[W₄Te₄(CN)₁₂] · 5H₂O/K₆[W₄Se₄(CN)₁₂] · 6H₂O with copper(II)/nickel(II) chloride in aqueous ammonia containing dien/en. The cyano-bridged layered coordination polymeric compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis: monoclinic, space group P2₁ for 1; trigonal, space group for 2. Structures of 1 and 2 consist of infinite neutral layers of cluster components {W₄Te₄(CN)₁₂}/{W₄Se₄(CN)₁₂} connected, one another by {Cu(dien)} or {Ni(en)(NH₃)} fragments, respectively.     

Cd(II)-NCS/NCO complexes of 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole: Single crystal X-ray structure of [Cd(HaaiMe)2(SCN)2]

The reaction of Cd(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O and 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole [RaaiR′ where R = H (a), Me (b); R′ = Me (1/3/5), Et (2/4/6)] and NH₄NCS/NaNCO in methanol in 1:2:2 mole ratio has afforded [Cd(RaaiR′)₂(NCS)₂] (3, 4) and [Cd(RaaiR′)₂(NCO)₂] (5, 6) complexes. The complexes are characterized by different physicochemical methods and in one case, the structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study for title compounds.     

Thiodiacetato-copper(II) chelates with or without N-heterocyclic donor ligands: molecular and/or crystal structures of [Cu(tda)]n, [Cu(tda)(Him)2(H2O)] and [Cu(tda)(5Mphen)] · 2H2O (Him = imidazole, 5Mphen = 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline)

Three new thiodiacetato-Cu(II) chelates have been synthesized and studied by X-ray crystallography and by thermal, spectral and magnetic methods. [Cu(tda)]_n (1) is a 3D-polymer with a pentadentate tda, which acts with a fac-O₂ + S(apical)-tridentate chelating conformation and as a twofold anti, syn-μ-η¹:η¹ carboxylate bridge. In its square pyramidal Cu(II) coordination (type 4 + 1) four O(carboxylate) donors define a close regular square base, but the Cu-S(apical) bond deviates 27.4° from the perpendicular to the mean basal plane. Each anti,syn-bridging carboxylate group exhibits two C-O (average 1.26(1) Å) and two Cu-O bonds (average 1.958(7) Å), which are very similar in length to each other. In contrast, the mixed-ligand complexes of [Cu(tda)(Him)₂(H₂O)] (compound 2, distorted octahedral, type 4 + 1 + 1) and [Cu(tda)(5Mphen)] · 2H₂O (compound 3, distorted square pyramidal, type 4 + 1) have molecular structures and the tda ligand displays only a fac-O₂ + S(apical)-tridentate conformation. The Cu-S(apical) bond lengths (2.570(1), 2.623(1) or 2.573(1) Å for 1, 2 or 3, respectively) are shorter than those previously reported for closely related Cu(II)-tda derivatives. The different tda ligand roles in their Cu(II) derivatives are rationalized on the basis of crystal packing forces driving in the absence or presence of auxiliary ligands (with two or three N-donor atoms).     

Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of [K(2,2,2-crypt)]3K(HP7)2 · en, [K(18-crown-6)]2HP7 and [K(db18-crown-6)]2HP7 · toluene

The polyphosphide anions in ethylenediamine/2,2,2-crypt, ethylenediamine/18-crown-6 and ethylenediamine/db18-crown-6 solutions are isolated as K[K(2,2,2-crypt)]₃(HP₇)₂ · en (1), [K(18-crown-6)]₂HP₇ (2) and [K(db18-crown-6)]₂HP₇ · toluene (3). The mono-protonation of the P₇ cluster is observed in all three compounds. The (HP₇)²⁻ units are stabilized by naked potassium in 1 and complexing potassium in 2 and 3. The significant C-H?P hydrogen bonding interaction is observed in 3, which is responsible for the 3-D supramolecular structure. The 3-D supramolecular structure is also contributed by the η²-interaction between K⁺ and the phenyl. The ³¹P and ¹H NMR spectra of 1-3 indicate that the polyphosphide anions are very fluxional in solution.     

Nature of the Ln-Co magnetic interactions in compounds [Ln2Co3(C5H4NPO3)6] · 4H2O with open-framework structures

The reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃ · xH₂O, CoSO₄ · 7H₂O or ZnSO₄ · 6H₂O and 2-pyridylphosphonic acid under hydrothermal conditions result in heterometallic phosphonate compounds with formula [Ln₂M₃(C₅H₄NPO₃)₆] · 4H₂O (Ln₂M₃; M = Co^II or Zn^II; Ln = La^III, Ce^III, Pr^III, Nd^III, Sm^III, Eu^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Dy^III). These compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a chiral cubic space group I2₁3. Each structure contains the {LnO₉} polyhedra and {MN₂O₄} octahedra which are connected by edge-sharing to form an inorganic open-framework structure with a 3-connected 10-gon (10, 3) topology. The nature of Ln^III-Co^II magnetic interactions in Ln₂Co₃ is investigated by a comparison with their Ln^III-Zn^II analogues. It is found that the Ln^III-Co^II interaction is weak antiferromagnetic for Ln = Ce and ferromagnetic for Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy. In the cases of Ln = Pr, Nd and Eu, no significant magnetic interaction is observed.     

Three novel coordination networks dependent upon H2btze ligand [H2btze = 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl) ethane]

Three novel metal-organic frameworks, [Zn(btze)]_n (1), [Zn(btze)(H₂O)]_n (2) and [Mn(btze)(H₂O)₄]_n·(H₂O)₂ (3) [btze = 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl) ethane anion], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structures study reveal that 1 displays a 3D framework, 2 displays a 2D layer structure and 3 displays a 1D polymeric chain. The luminescence properties of 1-3 were investigated at room temperature in solid state.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of fluoroalkyl phosphoryl complexes of tin tetrachloride

The synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of a series of octahedral complexes SnCl₄·2L (L = R₂NP(O)(OCH₂CF₃)₂; R = Me (1); Et (2) or L = P(O)(OCH₂R_f)₃; R_f = CF₃ (3); C₂F₅ (4)) are described. Complexes 1-4 were prepared from SnCl₄ and 2 equiv. of the ligand, L, in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution. The adducts have been characterised by multinuclear (¹H, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In dichloromethane solution, the NMR data showed the presence of a mixture of cis and trans isomers for 1 and 2 and only the cis isomer for 3 and 4. The difference could be interpreted in terms of the electronic effects of the substituents on the phosphorus atom of the ligand. In addition, the solution structure of the complexes studied by variable temperature ³¹P-{¹H} and ¹H NMR in the presence of excess ligand indicated that the ligand exchange on the cis isomer dominates the chemistry. The metal-ligand exchange barriers were estimated to be 13.38 and 11.39 kcal/mol for 1 and 3, respectively. The results are discussed and compared with those previously reported for the related hexamethylphosphoramide adduct, SnCl₄·2HMPA.     

Diorganotin(IV) complexes of dipeptides containing the alpha-aminoisobutyryl residue (Aib): preparation, structural characterization, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of [(n-Bu)2 Sn(H(-1)L)] (LH=H-Aib-L-Leu-OH, H-Aib-L-Ala-OH)

Two new organotin(IV) complexes with dianionic dipeptides containing the α-aminoisobutyryl residue (Aib) as ligands are described. The solid complexes [(n-Bu)₂Sn(H₋₁L_A)] · 2MeOH (1 · 2MeOH) (L_AH = H-Aib-L-Leu-OH) and [(n-Bu)₂Sn(H₋₁L_B)] · MeOH (2 · MeOH) (L_BH = H-Aib-L-Ala-OH) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques (H₋₁L²⁻ is the dianionic form of the corresponding dipeptide). Complexes 1 · 2MeOH and 2 · MeOH are monomeric with similar molecular structures. The doubly deprotonated dipeptide behaves as a N(amino), N(peptide), O(carboxylate) ligand and binds to the Sn^IV atom. The five-coordinate metal ion has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. A different network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in each compound results in very dissimilar supramolecular features. The IR, far-IR, Raman and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and known structures. The antibacterial and antiproliferative activities as well as the effect of the new compounds on pDNA were examined. Complexes 1 and 2 are active against the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. The IC₅₀ values reveal that the two compounds express promising cytotoxic activity in vitro against a series of cell lines.     

Towards the mechanism of heteroborane isomerisation: 1,2 → 1,2 and 1,2 → 1,7 low-temperature isomerisations from metallations of [5-I-7,8-Ph2-7,8-nido-C2B9H8]

The reaction between [5-I-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ and NiCl₂(dppe) affords 1,2-Ph₂-4,4-dppe-12-I-4,1,2-closo-NiC₂B₉H₈ (1) and 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-dppe-10-I-2,1,8-closo-NiC₂B₉H₈ (2). Reaction between the same carborane ligand and cis-PtCl₂(PMe₂Ph)₂ yields three species, 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-10-I-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (3), 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-12-I-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (4), and 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-7-I-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (5). Compounds 1-5 have been characterised spectroscopically and crystallographically. The 4,1,2-MC₂B₉ architecture of 1 constitutes a “1,2 → 1,2” cage C atom isomerisation, and the 2,1,8-MC₂B₉ architectures of 2-5 a 1,2 → 1,7 cage C atom isomerisation, relative to the presumed first product of the metallations, 1,2-Ph₂-3,3-L₂-9-I-3,1,2-closo-MC₂B₉H₈ [M = Ni, L₂ = dppe; M = Pt, L₂ = (PMe₂Ph)₂]. The location of the (iodide) labelled boron vertex in the products allows speculation as to the mechanism of these isomerisations and the possible involvement of triangle face rotation is discussed.     

A trinuclear copper(II) complex with 2,5-pyridine-dicarboxylato bridges - [Cu3(2,5-pydc)2(Me5dien)2(H2O)2(BF4)2] · H2O: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

A trinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₃(2,5-pydc)₂(Me₅dien)₂(BF₄)₂(H₂O)₂] · H₂O 1, has been constructed from 2,5-pyridine-dicarboxylato bridges (2,5-pydc²⁻) and N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyl-diethylenetriamine (Me₅dien) acting as a blocking ligand. The copper ions, within the centrosymmetric trinuclear cations, are connected by two 2,5-pydc²⁻ bridges, with an intramolecular Cu···Cu separation of 8.432 Å. The central copper ion exhibits an elongated octahedral geometry, with semicoordinated ions, while the terminal ones are pentacoordinated (distorted square-pyramidal geometry). The cryomagnetic investigation of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling of the copper(II) ions (J = −5.9 cm⁻¹, H = −JS_Cu1S_Cu2 − JS_Cu2S_Cu1a).     

Two new supermolecular structures of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds: [Zn(phen)(SO4)(H2O)2]n and [Cu(phen)(H2O)2] · SO4 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds [Zn(phen)(SO₄)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Cu(phen)(H₂O)₂] · SO₄ (2) have been prepared by conventional aqueous solution synthesis and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and fluorescent spectroscopy. In compound 1, the sulfate group adopts bidentate mode to coordinate with two Zn(II) ions to form one-dimensional polymer. The one-dimensional polymers are further linked together via the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions to form a 3D supramolecular framework. Compound 2 is build up of discrete [Cu(phen)(H₂O]²⁺ cations and SO₄²⁻ anions to form a three-dimensional framework via hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of both 1 and 2 were studied. The complexes 1 and 2 excited at 280 nm wavelength produced characteristic luminescence features, arising maybe due to the π-π transitions.     

Cobalt(II) and nickel(II) coordination polymers constructed from P,P′-diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid (H2pcp) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy): Structural isomerism in [Co(pcp)(bipy)0.5(H2O)2]

The P,P′diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid (H₂pcp) reacts with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O and 4,4′-bipyridine to give a mixture of two polymeric isomers of formula [Co(pcp)(bipy)_0.5(H₂O)₂], {red (1) and pink (2)} and the new violet hybrid [Co(Hpcp)₂] (3). The pure red and violet species have been obtained by the reaction of H₂pcp with Co(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O and bipy or with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, respectively. The analogous reaction of Ni(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O or Ni(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with H₂pcp and bipy affords only the [Ni(pcp)(bipy)_0.5(H₂O)₂] species (4). The two cobalt isomers present different structural arrangements. Whereas the red isomer (1) shows an undulated 2D layered structure, the pink one (2) forms an infinite monodimensional strand. Both the architectures extend to higher dimensions through hydrogen bonding interactions. The nickel derivative is isomorphous with the red cobalt isomer. The violet [Co(Hpcp)₂] (3), which is isomorphous with the complexes of the reported series [M(Hpcp)₂], M = Ca(II), Mg(II), presents a monodimensional polymeric structure. Compounds 1 and 4 show a very similar thermal behaviour, the two water molecules being lost in the temperature range 25-150 and 160-320 °C, respectively. Temperature dependent X-ray powder diffractometry (TDXD) has been performed on compound 1 in order to follow the structural transformations that occur during the heating process.