1-D arrays of Cu(I)-Schiff base maintained by fourfold phenyl embraces isolating diiodocuprate(I) anions.

The reaction of CuI with the bidentate Schiff base ligand (Phca(2)-dab) in acetonitrile yields a new mononuclear Cu(I) complex [Cu(Phca(2)-dab)(2)][CuI2]. The structure contains cationic moieties of Cu-I ion coordinated to four N atoms of two Phca(2)-dab ligands in a distorted tetrahedral fashion and isolated linear diiodocuprate(I) anions. The Phca(2)-dab ligand adopts a Z,Z configuration. A supramolecular motif that is a one-dimensional array of Phca(2)-dab embraces formed by the complex has been identified from the crystal packing analysis. The Phca(2)-dab embrace involves two complexes attracted by two edge-to-face (ef) interactions by the outer phenyl rings of the ligands. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.