Structural diversity within analogous compounds: syntheses and studies of M(SCH2CH2NH2)Cl (M = Zn, Cd, Hg)

The novel complexes Zn(L)Cl] (1), Cd(L)Cl] (2), Hg(L)Cl] (3), {Hg(L)Cl].NaOH.2H2O} (3.NaOH.2H2O), and {Hg3(HL)2Cl6].2H2O} (4) (L = -SCH2CH2NH2) were prepared and investigated by means of IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures of 1, 2, and 3.NaOH.2H2O show chelating N,S-coordination of the cysteaminate ligand, bridging S, and terminally coordinating Cl. Apart from these common features, the coordination geometries and modes of intermolecular association are different. 1 forms a cyclic tetramer with a Zn4S4 ring, and 3.NaOH.2H2O contains one-dimensional Hg(L)Cl]n chains with S-bridged Hg atoms. Zn and Hg atoms in 1 and 3.NaOH.2H2O are tetracoordinate with a distorted tetrahedral M(ClNS2) geometry (M = Zn, Hg). Each Cd atom of 2 binds to three S atoms and vice versa, such that layers of distorted Cd3S3 hexagons are formed. 2 is the first example for a compound exhibiting a group 12-group 16 layer structure, which can be described as an analogue of a graphite layer. Additionally, each Cd atom binds to a chlorine atom and a nitrogen atom from a cysteaminate ligand resulting in pentacoordination with a distorted trigonal bipyramidal Cd(ClNS3) geometry. 4 contains two differently coordinate Hg atoms. One displays a distorted trans-octahedral Hg(Cl4S2) geometry, while the other is coordinated by four Cl atoms and one S atom and additionally forms a long Hg...Cl contact.