Bonding mode of the thiocyanate ion: the crystal structure of bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) thiocyanate perchlorate

Abstract

Replacement of SCN^– by ClO₄^– in Cu(en)₂(SCN)₂(en = NH₂–CH₂–CH₂–NH₂) is accompanied by replacement of sulphur by nitrogen of the thiocyanate at the apices of the co-ordination octahedron of the copper ion; it is suggested that SCN^– orientation in the elongated octahedral geometry often found in copper compounds is due to packing and not electronic requirements.