[Me4N][Cu2(NCS)3]-a compound having a framework structure with large channels

Transparent colourless well shaped prismatic crystals of [Me4N][Cu2(NCS)3] were obtained by crystallization from a reaction mixture of [Me4N]Cl, CuCl and KSCN in acetonitrile at room temperature. The compound has been characterized by chemical analysis and IR spectroscopy. Its crystal structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. It is tetragonal with unit cell dimensions a=11.164(4)Å, c=10.638(5)Å, space group P42cm (No.101), Z=4. The anionic [Cu2(NCS)3]− partial structure forms a framework with large channels running parallel to the c axis and accommodating the organic cations.