Structure of bis(2-amino-5-methylpyridinium) tetrachlorozincate at 298 and 150 K

Reaction of 2-amino-5-methylpyridine with zinc chloride and HCl in aqueous solution yields bis(2-amino-5-methylpyridinium) tetrachlorozincate. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with minimal tetrahedral distortion of the ZnCl₄ ^2– ion at both 298 and 150 K; at 298 K, a = 8.090(2) Å, b = 14.795(6) Å, c = 15.850(4) Å, = 101.93 (2); at 150 K, a = 8.0986(2) Å, b = 14.7190(5) Å, c = 15.7684(7) Å, = 102.862(2). The anisotropic cell contraction results in significant changes in nonbonding Cl Cl contacts.