Dimensional control of Cu(I)–bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene coordination networks

Reaction of [Cu(MeCN)2(PPh3)2]PF6 with 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) produces either a layered hexagonal coordination network, [Cu(bpe)1.5(PPh3)]∞ +, if made from CH2Cl2/THF solutions, or a linear zigzag polymer, [Cu(bpe)(PPh3)2]∞ +, if crystallized using CHCl3/THF. Both compounds include significant amounts of solvent as well as the non-coordinating anions within intercrystalline channels. In the former case, the reaction to remove one PPh3 from the Cu(I) reagent complex competes effectively with the precipitation/crystallization step, whereas in the latter case, crystal growth occurs first.