Diazadienes RN = CR′-CR′ = NR (DAD) form molecular complexes with copper(I) halides of composition (DAD)CuX, the structures of which vary from [(DAD)2Cu]+(CuCl2)⁻ with a non-tetrahedral bis(chelated) cation, over [(DAD)CuCl]2 with asymmetrically bridging chloro ligands to planar three-coordinate (DAD)CuCl. The composition of the isolated complexes depends on the relative concentrations or on the solvent. The “soft” coordination geometry of copper is underlined by the structure of the coordination polymer of composition (DAD)2Cu5Cl5, in which Cu atoms of coordination number 2, 3 and 4 and very irregular geometries are encountered and where the DAD ligands are exclusively bridging. Halide ions and sp2-nitrogen donors are very competitive. Bridging DAD ligands are also encountered in (DAD)Cu-Y with the less nucleophilic anions trifluoromethane-sulphonate or perchlorate. Crystal and molecular structures are established for all these coordination geometries and the causes are discussed for the coordination flexibility of copper(I)
Reactions of [RhCl(diene)]2with Bi- and Terdentate Nitrogen Ligands. X-ray Structures of Five-Coordinate Complexes