Influence of the spectator cation on the structure of anionic pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II)

The structures of anionic pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato (pdc^2–) complexes of cobalt, nickel, and copper have been studied. The stoichiometries and structures are very much dependent on whether KOH, Et₄NOH, or NaOH is used in the synthesis to deprotonate the H₂pdc ligand. Crystallographic results are: (1) K₂Co(pdc)₂] · 7H₂O, orthorhombic, Pnna, Z = 4, a = 20.637(2)Å, b = 13.480(1)Å, c = 8.200(1)Å (2) K₂Ni(pdc)₂] · 7H₂O, orthorhombic, Pnna, Z = 4, a = 20.648(1)Å, b = 13.375(1)Å, c = 8.2393(8)Å (3) Co₂(H₂O)₅(pdc)₂] · 2H₂O, monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 8.3880(6)Å, b = 27.384(2)Å, c = 9.6110(8)Å, = 98.271(6)° (4) Ni(Hpdc)₂] · 3H₂O, monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 13.679(1)Å, b = 10.0450(9)Å, c = 13.767(2)Å, = 115.184(7)° (5) Na₆Co(H₂O)₆]Co(pdc)₂]₄ · 28H₂O, monoclinic, P2₁/n, Z = 2, a = 13.363(1)Å, b = 8.437(1)Å, c = 40.689(3)Å, = 91.288(5)° (6) NaNi(Hpdc)(pdc)] · 11.5H₂O, monoclinic, C2/m, Z = 4, a = 15.200(2)Å, b = 22.299(2)Å, c = 8.3596(7)Å, = 118.894(7)° (7) NaCu(Hpdc)(pdc)] · 3H₂O, monoclinic, P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 9.516(4)Å, b = 14.917(6)Å, c = 12.247(5)Å, = 92.00(5)°. The potassium and sodium complexes have extensive K⁺—H₂O and Na⁺—H₂O networks. The fact the Et₄N⁺ ion does not appear in any of the complexes is likely due to the fact that it is incapable of forming the intricate cation—water and hydrogen-bonding networks observed in all of the other structures.