Role of spacers and substituents in the self-assembly process: Syntheses and characterization of two novel thiocyanatocuprates polymers

Two novel cation-induced complexes, {(Phen-dq) [Cu2(SCN)4)]}n (1) and {(Phen-dzp) [Cu2(SCN)4]}n (2) [Phen-dq = (C14H12N2)2+, 5,6-dihydropyrazino[1, 2, 3, 4-lmn]-1,10-phenanthrolinium, Phen-dzp = C15H14N2)2+, 6, 7-dihydro-5H-[1, 4]diazepin-o[1, 2, 3, 4-lmn] [1, 10] phenanthr-o-line-4, 8-diium], have been synthesized. In these compounds, the simple modification from Phen-dq to Phen-dzp leads to distinct structures between 1 and 2, and these “planar” cations are effective guests to manipulate the aggregate structure of thiocyanatocuprates.