A remarkable anion effect on the crystal packing of two analogous copper complexes from a thiophene-containing phenol-based ligand

The new asymmetric phenol-based N,O,S-ligand Hpy2th1as was prepared by the straightforward reductive amination of 3-{[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with (thiophen-2-yl)methylamine. This potentially hexadentate ligand was used to coordinate to copper(II) chloride. Two dinuclear copper complexes were thus synthesised and fully characterized. Although the two coordination compounds exhibit identical complex cations, the crystal packings of both molecules significantly differ, which is most likely induced by the distinct, but geometrically related anions, namely tetrachlorocuprate(II) and perchlorate.

Graphical abstractTwo related copper complexes show significant structural variations as a result of a remarkable effect of the different anions on the crystal packing.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide