Molecular tectonics: design and generation of charge-assisted, H-bonded, hybrid molecular networks based on amidinium cations and thio- or isothio-cyanatometallates

Abstract

Upon combining the bis-amidinium dication 1-2H⁺ with thiocyanatometallate M(SCN)₄²⁻ (M = Pd, Hg) or isothiocyanatometallate Cu(NCS)₄²⁻ anions (behaving as H-bond donor and acceptors, respectively) three new hybrid molecular networks have been obtained in the crystalline phase and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Whereas for the combination of tecton 1-2H⁺ and both Pd(SCN)₄²⁻ and Hg(SCN)₄²⁻ anions analogous 1-D H-bonded networks were observed, for the Cu(NCS)₄²⁻ anion a 2-D network was obtained. Based on structural features of both components, the formation of the two types of networks is discussed.