Coordination structures of the silver ion: infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of Ag(+)(NH(3))(n) (n = 3-8)

Infrared (IR) spectra are measured for Ag(+)(NH(3))(n) with n = 3-8 in the NH-stretch region using photodissociation spectroscopy. The spectra of n = 3 and 4 exhibit absorption features only near the frequencies of the isolated NH(3), indicating that every NH(3) molecule is coordinated individually to Ag(+). For n >or= 5, the occupation of the second shell is evidenced by lower-frequency features characteristic of hydrogen bonding between NH(3) molecules. Density functional theory and MP2 calculations are carried out in support of the experiments. A detailed comparison of the experimental and theoretical IR spectra reveals the preference for a tetrahedral coordination in the n = 5 and 6 ions. Likewise, most of the features observed in the spectra of n = 7 and 8 can be assigned to isomers containing a tetrahedrally coordinated inner shell as the basic structural motif. These results signify that the ammonia-solvated Ag(+) ion has a propensity toward a coordination number of four and the resulting tetrahedral Ag(+)(NH(3))(4) complex forms the central core of further solvation process.     

Infrared spectroscopy of Cu+(H2O)(n) and Ag+(H2O)(n): coordination and solvation of noble-metal ions

M(+)(H(2)O)(n) and M(+)(H(2)O)(n)Ar ions (M=Cu and Ag) are studied for exploring coordination and solvation structures of noble-metal ions. These species are produced in a laser-vaporization cluster source and probed with infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy in the OH-stretch region using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Density functional theory calculations are also carried out for analyzing the experimental IR spectra. Partially resolved rotational structure observed in the spectrum of Ag(+)(H(2)O)(1) x Ar indicates that the complex is quasilinear in an Ar-Ag(+)-O configuration with the H atoms symmetrically displaced off axis. The spectra of the Ar-tagged M(+)(H(2)O)(2) are consistent with twofold coordination with a linear O-M(+)-O arrangement for these ions, which is stabilized by the s-d hybridization in M(+). Hydrogen bonding between H(2)O molecules is absent in Ag(+)(H(2)O)(3) x Ar but detected in Cu(+)(H(2)O)(3) x Ar through characteristic changes in the position and intensity of the OH-stretch transitions. The third H(2)O attaches directly to Ag(+) in a tricoordinated form, while it occupies a hydrogen-bonding site in the second shell of the dicoordinated Cu(+). The preference of the tricoordination is attributable to the inefficient 5s-4d hybridization in Ag(+), in contrast to the extensive 4s-3d hybridization in Cu(+) which retains the dicoordination. This is most likely because the s-d energy gap of Ag(+) is much larger than that of Cu(+). The fourth H(2)O occupies the second shells of the tricoordinated Ag(+) and the dicoordinated Cu(+), as extensive hydrogen bonding is observed in M(+)(H(2)O)(4) x Ar. Interestingly, the Ag(+)(H(2)O)(4) x Ar ions adopt not only the tricoordinated form but also the dicoordinated forms, which are absent in Ag(+)(H(2)O)(3) x Ar but revived at n=4. Size dependent variations in the spectra of Cu(+)(H(2)O)(n) for n=5-7 provide evidence for the completion of the second shell at n=6, where the dicoordinated Cu(+)(H(2)O)(2) subunit is surrounded by four H(2)O molecules. The gas-phase coordination number of Cu(+) is 2 and the resulting linearly coordinated structure acts as the core of further solvation processes.     

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of protonated ammonia cluster ions, NH4+(NH3)n (n=5-8), by using infrared free electron laser

Infrared photodissociation action spectra of protonated ammonia cluster ions, NH(4) (+)(NH(3))(n) (n=5-8), were measured in the range of 1020-1210 cm(-1) by using a tunable infrared free electron laser. Analyses by the density functional theory (DFT) show that the spectral features observed can be assigned to the nu(2) vibrational mode of the NH(3) molecules in NH(4) (+)(NH(3))(n). Size dependence of the spectra supports structural models obtained by the DFT calculations, in which the NH(4) (+) ion is solvated by the four nearest-neighbor NH(3) molecules. For NH(4) (+)(NH(3))(5), the spectrum between 1000 and 1700 cm(-1) was measured. The nu(4) bands of the NH(3) molecules and the NH(4) (+) ion were found in the range of 1420-1700 cm(-1).     

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) (n = 1-4)

Infrared photodissociation spectra of Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) (n = 1-4) and Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n)-Ar (n = 1-3) were measured in the OH stretching region, 3000-3800 cm(-1). For n = 1 and 2, sharp absorption bands were observed in the free OH stretching region, all of which were well reproduced by the spectra calculated for the solvated-type geometry with no hydrogen bond. For n = 3 and 4, there were broad vibrational bands in the energy region of hydrogen-bonded OH stretching vibrations, 3000-3500 cm(-1). Energies of possible isomers for the Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(3),4 ions with hydrogen bonds were calculated in order to assign these bands. It was found that the third and fourth methanol molecules form hydrogen bonds with methanol molecules in the first solvation shell, rather than a direct bonding with the Al(+) ion. For the Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) clusters with n = 1-4, we obtained no evidence of the insertion reaction, which occurs in Al(+)(H(2)O)(n). One possible explanation of the difference between these two systems is that the potential energy barriers between the solvated and inserted isomers in the Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) system is too high to form the inserted-type isomers.     

Growth dynamics and intracluster reactions in Ni+(CO2)n complexes via infrared spectroscopy

Ni(+)(CO(2))(n), Ni(+)(CO(2))(n)Ar, Ni(+)(CO(2))(n)Ne, and Ni(+)(O(2))(CO(2))(n) complexes are generated by laser vaporization in a pulsed supersonic expansion. The complexes are mass-selected in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer and studied by infrared resonance-enhanced photodissociation (IR-REPD) spectroscopy. Photofragmentation proceeds exclusively through the loss of intact CO(2) molecules from Ni(+)(CO(2))(n) and Ni(+)(O(2))(CO(2))(n) complexes, and by elimination of the noble gas atom from Ni(+)(CO(2))(n)Ar and Ni(+)(CO(2))(n)Ne. Vibrational resonances are identified and assigned in the region of the asymmetric stretch of CO(2). Small complexes have resonances that are blueshifted from the asymmetric stretch of free CO(2), consistent with structures having linear Ni(+)-O=C=O configurations. Fragmentation of larger Ni(+)(CO(2))(n) clusters terminates at the size of n=4, and new vibrational bands assigned to external ligands are observed for n> or =5. These combined observations indicate that the coordination number for CO(2) molecules around Ni(+) is exactly four. Trends in the loss channels and spectra of Ni(+)(O(2))(CO(2))(n) clusters suggest that each oxygen atom occupies a different coordination site around a four-coordinate metal ion in these complexes. The spectra of larger Ni(+)(CO(2))(n) clusters provide evidence for an intracluster insertion reaction assisted by solvation, producing a metal oxide-carbonyl species as the reaction product.     

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of Na(NH3)n clusters: probing the solvent coordination

The first mass-selective vibrational spectra have been recorded for Na(NH3)n clusters. Infrared spectra have been obtained for n = 3-8 in the N-H stretching region. The spectroscopic work has been supported by ab initio calculations carried out at both the DFT(B3LYP) and MP2 levels, using a 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The calculations reveal that the lowest energy isomer for n or= 7 is indicative of molecules entering a second solvation shell, i.e., the inner solvation shell around the sodium atom can accommodate a maximum of six NH3 molecules.     

Infrared spectroscopy of Li(NH3)n clusters for n=4-7

Infrared spectra of Li(NH3)(n) clusters as a function of size are reported for the first time. Spectra have been recorded in the N-H stretching region for n=4-->7 using a mass-selective photodissociation technique. For the n=4 cluster, three distinct IR absorption bands are seen over a relatively narrow region, whereas the larger clusters yield additional features at higher frequencies. Ab initio calculations have been carried out in support of these experiments for the specific cases of n=4 and 5 for various isomers of these clusters. The bands observed in the spectrum for Li(NH3)(4) can all be attributed to N-H stretching vibrations from solvent molecules in the first solvation shell. The appearance of higher frequency N-H stretching bands for n > or =5 is assigned to the presence of ammonia molecules located in a second solvent shell. These data provide strong support for previous suggestions, based on gas phase photoionization measurements, that the first solvation shell for Li(NH3)(n) is complete at n=4. They are also consistent with neutron diffraction studies of concentrated lithium/liquid ammonia solutions, where Li(NH3)(4) is found to be the basic structural motif.     

Gas-phase kinetic measurements of the ligation of Ni+, Cu+, Ni(pyrrole)1,2+ and Cu(pyrrole)1,2+ with CO2, D2O, NH3 and NO

The rate and equilibrium kinetics of the reactions of the biologically important metal species M(+), M(+)(pyrrole) and M(+)(pyrrole)(2) (M = Ni, Cu) have been investigated with the biological gases CO(2), D(2)O, NH(3) and NO in the gas phase at 295 +/- 2 K in helium buffer-gas at a pressure of 0.35 +/- 0.01 Torr. The measurements were taken with an Inductively Coupled Plasma/Selected-Ion Flow Tube (ICP/SIFT) tandem mass spectrometer. Only ligation was observed for the reactions of bare Ni(+) and Cu(+) with CO(2), D(2)O and NH(3) with rates consistent with the known strengths of the resulting ligand-metal bonds. Both metal cations appeared to be oxidized and produce N(2)O in interesting reactions that are second order in NO. One pyrrole ligand was observed to increase the rate of ligation by as much as a factor of 100 and to switch off the oxidation with NO. Equilibrium was achieved for the ligation of CO(2), D(2)O and NO to both Ni(+)(pyrrole) and Cu(+)(pyrrole), and so it was possible to determine absolute values for the standard free energies of ligation. No ligand substitution was observed with M(+)(pyrrole). M(+)(pyrrole)(2) was observed to be generally unreactive towards the small molecules investigated: a notable exception is ammonia. Very fast ligand substitution reactions were observed for reactions of M(+)(pyrrole)(2) with NH(2).     

Structure and dynamics of hydrated NH(4) (+): an ab initio QM/MM molecular dynamics simulation

A combined ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics simulation has been performed to investigate solvation structure and dynamics of NH(4) (+) in water. The most interesting region, the sphere includes an ammonium ion and its first hydration shell, was treated at the Hartree-Fock level using DZV basis set, while the rest of the system was described by classical pair potentials. On the basis of detailed QM/MM simulation results, the solvation structure of NH(4) (+) is rather flexible, in which many water molecules are cooperatively involved in the solvation shell of the ion. Of particular interest, the QM/MM results show fast translation and rotation of NH(4) (+) in water. This phenomenon has resulted from multiple coordination, which drives the NH(4) (+) to translate and rotate quite freely within its surrounding water molecules. In addition, a "structure-breaking" behavior of the NH(4) (+) is well reflected by the detailed analysis on the water exchange process and the mean residence times of water molecules surrounding the ion.     

Theoretical study of the electronic state and H-elimination reactions for solvated magnesium cluster ions

The potential-energy curves of the ground and low-lying excited states for Mg(+)NH(3) along the N-H distance were examined by the ab initio configuration interaction method. The photoinduced hydrogen elimination reaction found by the recent experiment is considered to occur via the ground-state channel. The geometries, energetics, and electronic nature of the ground-state Mg(+)(NH(3))(n) and MgNH(2) (+)(NH(3))(n-1) (n=1-6) were also investigated by second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory and compared with those of the corresponding hydrated species. In contrast to Mg(+)(H(2)O)(n), the successive solvation energies of Mg(+)(NH(3))(n) become as large as those of MgNH(2) (+)(NH(3))(n-1) containing the Mg(2+)-NH(2) (-) core for n=5 and 6, because of the growing one-center ion-pair state with the Mg(2+) and the diffuse solvated electron. As a result, the solvation energies of the MgNH(2) (+)(NH(3))(n-1) are insufficient to overcome the huge endothermicity of Mg(+)(NH(3))-->MgNH(2) (+)+H, even at these sizes, which is responsible for no observation of the H-loss products, MgNH(2) (+)(NH(3))(n-1).     

Structures of small Li(NH3)n and Li(NH3)n+ clusters (n = 1-5): evidence from combined photoionization efficiency measurements and ab initio calculations

Photoionization threshold measurements have been carried out for small Li(NH3)n clusters (n = 1-5) and have been combined with ab initio calculations to determine structural information. The calculated adiabatic ionization energy for the lowest-energy isomer of each cluster is found to be in excellent agreement with the corresponding experimental photoionization threshold, providing evidence that the calculated structures are correct. The combination of the photoionization efficiency curve and the calculated adiabatic ionization energies also confirms the tentative assignment of the infrared spectrum of Li(NH3)4 reported by Salter and co-workers (J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 125, 34302); i.e., the 3 + 1 isomer does not contribute and the spectrum is due solely to the 4 + 0 isomer. The findings are consistent with an inner solvation shell that can hold a maximum of four ammonia molecules around the central lithium atom.     

An IR study of (CO2)(+)n (n=3-8) cluster ions in the 1000-3800 cm-1 region

Infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectra of carbon dioxide cluster ions, (CO(2))(n) (+) with n=3-8, are measured in the 1000-3800 cm(-1) region. IR bands assignable to solvent CO(2) molecules are observed at positions close to the vibrational frequencies of neutral CO(2) [1290 and 1400 cm(-1) (nu(1) and 2nu(2)), 2350 cm(-1) (nu(3)), and 3610 and 3713 cm(-1) (nu(1)+nu(3) and 2nu(2)+nu(3))]. The ion core in (CO(2))(n) (+) shows several IR bands in the 1200-1350, 2100-2200, and 3250-3500 cm(-1) regions. On the basis of previous IR studies in solid Ne and quantum chemical calculations, these bands are ascribed to the C(2)O(4) (+) ion, which has a semicovalent bond between the CO(2) components. The number of the bands and the bandwidth of the IRPD spectra drastically change with an increase in the cluster size up to n=6, which is ascribed to the symmetry change of (CO(2))(n) (+) by the solvation of CO(2) molecules and a full occupation of the first solvation shell at n=6.     

Ab initio studies on the mechanism of the size-dependent hydrogen-loss reaction in Mg+(H2O)n

The mechanism of size-dependent intracluster hydrogen loss in the cluster ions Mg(+)(H(2)O)(n), which is switched on around n=6, and off around n=14, was studied by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G** levels for n=1-6. The reaction proceeds by Mg(+)-assisted breaking of an H-O bond in one of the H(2)O molecules. The reaction barrier is dependent on both the cluster size and the solvation structure. As n increases from 1 to 6, there is a dramatic drop in the reaction barrier, from greater than 70 kcal mol(-1) for n=1 to less than 10 kcal mol(-1) for n=6. In the transition structures, the Mg atom is close to the oxidation state of +2, and H(2)O molecules in the first solvation shell are much more effective in stabilizing the transition structures and lowering the reaction barriers than H(2)O molecules in the other solvation shells. While the reaction barrier for trimer core structures with only three H(2)O molecules in the first shell is greater than 24 kcal mol(-1), even for Mg(+)(H(2)O)(6), it drops considerably for clusters with four-six H(2)O molecules in the first shell. The more highly coordinated complexes have comparable or slightly higher energy than the trimer core structures, and the presence of such high coordination number complexes is the underlying kinetic factor for the switching on of the hydrogen-loss reaction around n=6. For clusters with trimer core structures, the hydrogen loss reaction is much easier when it is preceded by an isomerization step that increases the coordination number around Mg(+). Delocalization of the electron on the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) away from the Mg(+) ion is observed for the hexamer core structure, while at the same time this isomer is the most reactive for the hydrogen-loss reaction, with an energy barrier of only 2.7 kcal mol(-1) at the MP2/6-31G** level.     

Infrared predissociation spectroscopy of ammonia cluster cations (NH3)n+ (n=2-4) produced by vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization

Infrared predissociation spectroscopy of vacuum ultraviolet-pumped ion (IRPDS-VUV-PI) is performed on ammonia cluster cations (NH3)n+ (n=2-4) that are produced by VUV photoionization in supersonic jets. The structures of (NH3)2+ and (NH3)4+ are determined through the observation of infrared spectra and vibrational calculations based on ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G** and 6-31++G** levels. (NH3)2+ is found to be of the "hydrogen-transferred" form having the (H3N+-...NH2) composition. In contrast, (NH3)4+ exhibits the "head-to-head" dimer cation (H3...NH3+ core structure, where the positive charge is shared between two ammonia molecules in the core, and two other molecules are hydrogen bonded onto the core. An unequivocal assignment of the infrared spectrum of (NH3)3+ has not been achieved, because the presence of two isomeric structures could be suggested by the observed spectrum and theoretical calculations.     

Vibrational spectroscopy and structures of Ni+(C2H2)(n) (n =1-4) complexes

Nickel cation-acetylene complexes of the form Ni(+)(C(2)H(2))(n), Ni(+)(C(2)H(2))Ne, and Ni(+)(C(2)H(2))(n)Ar(m) (n = 1-4) are produced in a molecular beam by pulsed laser vaporization. These ions are size-selected and studied in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer by infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy in the C-H stretch region. The fragmentation patterns indicate that the coordination number is 4 for this system. The n = 1-4 complexes with and without rare gas atoms are also investigated with density functional theory. The combined IR spectra and theory show that pi-complexes are formed for the n = 1-4 species, causing the C-H stretches in the acetylene ligands to shift to lower frequencies. Theory reveals that there are low-lying excited states nearly degenerate with the ground state for all the Ni(+)(C(2)H(2))(n) complexes. Although isomeric structures are identified for rare gas atom binding at different sites, the attachment of rare gas atoms results in only minor perturbations on the structures and spectra for all complexes. Experiment and theory agree that multiple acetylene binding takes place to form low-symmetry structures, presumably due to Jahn-Teller distortion and/or ligand steric effects. The fully coordinated Ni(+)(C(2)H(2))(4) complex has a near-tetrahedral structure.     

Isotope exchange and structural rearrangements in reactions between size-selected ionic water clusters, H3O(+)(H2O)(n) and NH4(+)(H2O)(n), and D2O

Hydrogen/deuterium exchange in reactions of H3O(+)(H2O)n and NH4(+)(H2O)n (1 < or = n < or = 30) with D2O has been studied experimentally at center-of-mass collisions energies of < or = 0.2 eV. For a given cluster size, the cross-sections for H3O(+)(H2O)n and NH4(+)(H2O)n are similar, indicating a structural resemblance and energetics of binding. For protonated pure water clusters, H3O(+)(H2O)n, reacting with D2O the main H/D exchange mechanism is found to be proton catalyzed. In addition the H/D scrambling becomes close to statistically randomized for the larger clusters. For NH4(+)(H2O)n clusters reacting with D2O, the main mechanism is a D2O/H2O swap reaction. The lifetimes of H3O(+)(H2O)n clusters have been estimated using RRKM theory and a plateau in lifetime vs. cluster size is found already at n = 10.     

Structures and dissociation channels of protonated mixed clusters around a small magic number: infrared spectroscopy of ((CH3)3N)n-H(+)-H2O (n = 1-3)

The magic number behavior of ((CH(3))(3)N)(n)-H(+)-H(2)O clusters at n = 3 is investigated by applying infrared spectroscopy to the clusters of n = 1-3. Structures of these clusters are determined in conjunction with density functional theory calculations. Dissociation channels upon infrared excitation are also measured, and their correlation with the cluster structures is examined. It is demonstrated that the magic number cluster has a closed-shell structure, in which the water moiety is surrounded by three (CH(3))(3)N molecules. The ion core (protonated site) of the clusters is found to be (CH(3))(3)NH(+) for n = 1-3, but coexistence of an isomer of the H(3)O(+) ion core cannot be ruled out for n = 3. Large rearrangement of the cluster structures of n = 2 and 3 before dissociation, which has been suggested in the mass spectrometric studies, is confirmed on the basis of the structure determination by infrared spectroscopy.     

Solvation effects on angular distributions in H- (NH3)n and NH2(-) (NH3)n photodetachment: role of solute electronic structure

We report 355 and 532 nm photoelectron imaging results for H(-)(NH(3))(n) and NH(2)(-)(NH(3))(n), n = 0-5. The photoelectron spectra are consistent with the electrostatic picture of a charged solute (H(-) or NH(2)(-)) solvated by n ammonia molecules. For a given number of solvent molecules, the NH(2)(-) core anion is stabilized more strongly than H(-), yet the photoelectron angular distributions for solvated H(-) deviate more strongly from the unsolvated limit than those for solvated NH(2)(-). Hence, we conclude that solvation effects on photoelectron angular distributions are dependent on the electronic structure of the anion, i.e., the type of the initial orbital of the photodetached electron, rather than merely the strength of solvation interactions. We also find evidence of photofragmentation and autodetachment of NH(2)(-)(NH(3))(2-5), as well as autodetachment of H(-)(NH(3))(5), upon 532 nm excitation of these species.     

Apparent stoichiometry of water in proton hydration and proton dehydration reactions in CH3CN/H2O solutions

Gradual solvation of protons by water is observed in liquids by mixing strong mineral acids with various amounts of water in acetonitrile solutions, a process which promotes rapid dissociation of the acids in these solutions. The stoichiometry of the reaction XH(+) + n(H(2)O) = X + (H(2)O)(n)H(+) was studied for strong mineral acids (negatively charged X, X = ClO(4)ˉ, Clˉ, Brˉ, Iˉ, CF(3)SO(3)ˉ) and for strong cationic acids (uncharged X, X = R*NH(2), H(2)O). We have found by direct quantitative analysis preference of n = 2 over n = 1 for both groups of proton transfer reactions at relatively low water concentrations in acetonitrile. At high water concentrations, we have found that larger water solvates must also be involved in the solvation of the proton while the spectral features already observed for n = 2, H(+)(H(2)O)(2), remain almost unchanged at large n values up to at least 10 M of water.     

Versatility of heterocyclic thioamides in the construction of a trinuclear cluster [Cu3I3(dppe)3 (SC5H4NH)] and Cu(I) linear polymers {Cu6(SC5H4NH)6I6}n x 2nCH3CN and {Cu(I)6 (SC3H6N2)6X6}n (X = Br, I)

Reaction of copper(I) iodide with pyridine-2-thione (2-SC5H4NH) and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) in a CH3CN-CHCl3 mixture yielded a triangular cluster, [Cu3I3(mu2-P,P-dppe)3 (eta1-SC5H4NH)], 1. Similar reaction with 2-SC5H4NH and a series of diphosphanes, Ph2P-X-Ph2P {X = -CH2- (dppm), -(CH2)3- (dppp), -(CH2)4- (dppb), -CH=CH- (dppen)}, gave a novel iodo-bridged hexanuclear Cu(I) linear polymer,{Cu6(mu3-SC5H4NH)4 (mu2-SC5H4NH)2 (I4)(mu-I)2-}n x 2nCH3CN, 2. Reactions of copper(I) iodide/copper(I) bromide with 1,3-imidazolidine-2-thione (SC3H6N2) in a CH3CN-CHCl3 mixture yielded hexanuclear Cu(I) linear chain polymers, [{Cu6(mu3-SC3H6N2)2 (mu2-SC3H6N2)4X2 (mu-X)4}n] (X = Br, 4; I, 5). In compound 1, two iodide atoms and one dppe form the dinuclear Cu(mu2-I)2 (mu2-dppe)Cu core, and two dppe ligands bridge this core with the third Cu(I) center coordinated to 2-SC5H4NH via the S atom. The chain polymer 2 has a centrosymmetric hexanuclear central core, Cu6S6I4 (mu-I)2--, formed by dimerization of six-membered trinuclear motifs, Cu3(mu2-SC3H6N2)3I3 via (mu3-S) bonding modes of the thione ligand, and has four terminal and two bridging iodine atoms in trans-orientations. Linear chains are separated by the nonbonded acetonitrile molecules. In 4 and 5, three copper(I) bromide or copper(I) iodide moieties and three SC3H6N2 ligands combined via bridging S donor atoms to form the six-membered trinuclear Cu3(mu2-SC3H6N2)3I3 cores which polymerized via S and X atoms in a side-on fashion to form linear chain polymers, [{Cu6(mu3-SC3H6N2)2 (mu2-SC3H6N2)4X2(mu-X)4}n]. The (mu3-S) modes of bonding of neutral heterocyclic thioamides are first examples, as are trinuclear cluster and linear polymers rare examples in copper chemistry.