Cyanide bridged oligonuclear complexes containing CuCl and CuCl2

The reaction between Cp(PPh3)2Ru–CN and CuCl2 results in Cp(PPh3)2Ru–CN–CuCl (1) as the main product and Cl(CH3CN)(PPh3)Ru{CN–CuCl}{NC–Ru(PPh3)2Cp}2 (2) as the side product. cis-(bpy)2Fe(CN)2 reacts with both CuCl2 and CuCl to form [(bpy)2Fe(CN)(CN–CuCl2)]x (3) and [(bpy)2Fe(CN)(CN–CuCl)]x (4). Upon attempts at recrystallization the former partly decomposes with formation of (bpy)2Fe{CN–CuCl2(bpy)}2 (5). Electrochemical data of the complexes are reported. Complexes 1, 2, and 5 were identified by structure determinations.