Synthesis, crystal structure, physico-chemical characterization and dielectric properties of a new hybrid material, 1-Ethylpiperazine-1,4-diium tetrachlorocadmate

• New hybrid compound, (C6H16N2)CdCl4, was synthesized at room temperature by slow evaporation.
• The atomic arrangement shows three-dimensional network.
• This material was also investigated by IR, Raman and CP-MAS NMR spectroscopies, optical and photoluminescence.
• The thermogram DSC and the dielectric measurements revealed a phase transition.

A new organic–inorganic hybrid metal complex, 1-Ethylpiperazine-1,4-diium tetrachlorocadmate was synthesized and the structure is determined by single crystal X-Ray diffraction analyses. The title compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group Pbca. The unit cell parameters are a = 11.5129 (2) Å, b = 9.7801 (2) Å, c = 23.8599 (4) Å with Z = 8 and V = 2686.56 (8) Å3. The examination of the structure shows that Cd(II) is coordinated by 4 chlorine atoms and adopt a tetrahedral geometry. Three-dimensional frameworks of the title compound are produced by N–H⋯Cl and C–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding. IR, Raman and UV–Visible spectroscopies were also used to characterize this complex. Moreover, the fluorescent properties of the compound have been investigated in the solid state at room temperature. Solid state 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy results are in agreement with the X-ray structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has revealed a structural phase transition of the order–disorder type around 373 K, and dielectric measurements were performed to discuss the mechanism of this phase transition. The evolution of dielectric constant as a function of temperature of the sample has been investigated in order to determine some related parameters.