The first crystallographically-characterised Cu(II) xanthate

The copper(II) xanthate Cu(S2COEt)2·TMEDA (1) (TMEDA = N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine) has been synthesised and is the first structurally-characterised xanthate of copper in the + 2 oxidation state. 1 has an octahedral cis, cis, cis-ligand arrangement about the metal, in which xanthate chelation is markedly asymmetric. Both bulk thermal decomposition and film growth by aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) using 1 as precursor lead to the formation of Cu2S.