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 (Phca2-dab) in acetonitrile yields a new mononuclear Cu(I) complex [Cu(Phca2-dab)2][CuI2]. The structure contains cationic moieties of CuI ion coordinated to four N atoms of two Phca2-dab ligands in a distorted tetrahedral fashion and isolated linear diiodocuprate(I) anions. The Phca2-dab ligand adopts a Z,Z configuration. A supramolecular motif that is a one-dimensional array of Phca2-dab embraces formed by the complex has been identified from the crystal packing analysis. The Phca2-dab embrace involves two complexes attracted by two edge-to-face (ef) interactions by the outer phenyl rings of the ligands.