Crystal Structure of Cu2Cl4(CH3CN)2, Cu3Cl6(CH3CN)2, and Cu5Cl10(C3H7OH)2

Abstract

The crystal structures of three red complexes of copper (II) chloride with the molecular formulas Cu₂Cl₄(CH₃CN)₂, Cu₃Cl₆(CH₃CN)₂, and Cu₅Cl₁₀ (C₃H₇OH)₂ have been determined. Each compound contains discrete molecules in which the copper atoms and their ligands lie essentially in a plane. Within each molecule, adjacent copper atoms are bridged by two chlorine atoms equidistant from the copper atoms. Each copper atom forms four bonds, with Cu–Cl≃2.3 Å while Cu–O or Cu–N bonds are just less than 2.0 Å. Bond angles are approximately 90°. In all cases the organic molecules are bonded to copper atoms in positions which are trans for the entire molecule. Molecules are bridged together by longer Cu–Cl bonds which vary from 2.6 to 3.2 Å.