Hydrogen-bonded 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole (pyim) manganese(II) complexes as building blocks for molecular assembling: Syntheses and structural characterization of cis-[Mn(pyim)2X2] compounds (X = N3-, NCO− and NCS−)

The preparation and crystal structures of three new manganese(II) complexes with 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole (pyim) and pseudohalides as ligands, cis-[Mn(pyim)2(N3)2] (1), cis-[Mn(pyim)2(NCO)2] (2) and cis-[Mn(pyim)2(NCS)2] (3), are reported. The structural building block in each structure is a mononuclear, neutral complex unit. The metal ion in each case adopts a distorted octahedral coordination geometry with the two pseudohalide ligands in cis   positions. The main differences between the molecular structures of the three compounds are associated with the orientation of the anionic ligands. Hydrogen bonds between imidazole N–H and the metal-coordinated nitrogen atom of the pseudohalide N3- (1) and NCO− (2) link the molecules into 2D networks, whereas the molecules in compound 3 are connected into ribbons by hydrogen bonds between imidazole and the terminal sulphur atom of the NCS− group. The potential use of the complexes 1–3 as building blocks for molecular assembling is analyzed and discussed.

Graphical abstractThree new Mn(II) complexes with 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole and pseudohalides as ligands have been prepared and characterized. Hydrogen bonds involving the imidazole N–H group and either the coordinated nitrogen of the azide/cyanate or the terminal sulphur atom of the thiocyanate ligand afford 2D networks and ribbon-like structures, respectively. The potential use of the complexes as building blocks for metal assembling is analyzed and discussed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide