Cyanoscorpionates: Co(II), Mn(II), and Ni(II) complexes coordinated only through the cyano group

Reaction of the tert-butyl substituted cyanoscorpionate, Tpt-Bu,4CN with Co(II), Mn(II) and Ni(II) has resulted in the isolation of the first 2:1 complexes of a 3-tert-butyl-substituted scorpionate ligand. The structures of these Tpt-Bu,4CN2ML4 complexes show coordination to the metal only through one cyano N atom of each ligand. This coordination motif represents an important step in the development of supramolecular frameworks involving cyanoscorpionates.