Study of the reaction Fe(CN)4(bpy)2− + S2O82− in Sulfobetaine Aqueous Micellar Solutions

The reaction Fe(CN)₄(bpy)^2? + S₂O₈^2? has been studied in aqueous micellar solutions of N‐tetradecyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐ammonio‐1‐propanesulfonate, SB3‐14. The influence of changes in the surfactant concentration as well as in the peroxodisulfate ions concentration on k_obs was investigated. Spectroscopic and conductivity measurements have given information about the distribution of both anionic reagents between the aqueous and micellar pseudophases of the SB3‐14 micellar solutions. A discussion about the adequacy of various equations based on the pseudophase model to rationalize kinetic micellar effects for anion‐anion reactions in sulfobetaine micellar solutions has been done. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 225–231, 2001     

An easy electrochemical procedure for tailoring thin films containing the [Fe(bpy)2(CH3CN)2] and/or [Fe(bpy)3]-like cores (bpy=2,2-bipyridine). Application to the design of a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure

A simple electrochemical procedure to tailor thin polymeric films containing the [Fe^II(bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and/or [Fe^II(bpy)₃]²⁺-like cores have been described (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine). The procedure is based on the electroreductive precipitation of soluble polymers prepared in situ in CH₃CN by mixing Fe³⁺ ions and a bis bipyridyl ligand, (chiragen: chir). In the resulting [Fe^II(chir)(CH₃CN)₂]_n²⁺ films, the two labile S ligands can be easily replaced by a bidentate ligand. This method has been applied with success to design a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure.     

Hydrate isomerism in [Cu(en)2(H2O)1.935]2[Fe(CN)6]·4H2O

The title compound, bis[di­aqua­bis­(ethyl­enedi­amine‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)­] hexa­cyano­iron(II) tetrahydrate, [Cu(C₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)_1.935]₂[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O, was crystallized from an aqueous reaction mixture initially containing CuSO₄, K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and ethyl­enedi­amine (en) in a 3:2:6 molar ratio. Its structure is ionic and is built up of two crystallographically different cations, viz. [Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and [Cu(en)₂(H₂O)_1.87]²⁺, there being a deficiency of aqua ligands in the latter, [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anions and disordered solvent water mol­ecules. All the metal atoms lie on centres of inversion. The Cu atom is octahedrally coordinated by two chelate‐bonded en mol­ecules [mean Cu—N = 2.016 (2) Å] in the equatorial plane, and by axial aqua ligands, showing very long distances due to the Jahn–Teller effect [mean Cu—O = 2.611 (2) Å]. In one of the cations, significant underoccupation of the O‐atom site is observed, correlated with the appearance of a non‐coordinated water mol­ecule. This is interpreted as the partial contribution of a hydrate isomer. The [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anions form quite regular octahedra, with a mean Fe—C distance of 1.913 (2) Å. The dominant intermolecular interactions are cation–anion O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and these inter­actions form layers parallel to (001).     

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structures of Cs2[W(bpy)(CN)6]·2H2O and (AsPh4)2[W(bpy)(CN)6]·3.5H2O

The synthesis, spectral properties and crystal structures of Cs₂[W(bpy)(CN)₆]·2H₂O and (AsPh₄)₂[W(bpy)(CN)₆]·3.5H₂O are described. The anions of both salts show distorted antiprismatic geometry with very similar bond lengths and angles. The structure of the [W(bpy)(CN)₆]^2– anion is independent of the type of cation, in contrast to the octacyanotungstate(IV).     

Chemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)3 2+* in the reaction of electron transfer from Ph3CNa to Ru(bpy)3 3+ in a solution

Conditions for the generation of the Ru(bpy)₃ ³⁺ complex in organic solvents (Me₃CN or MeNO₂) in the presence of small amounts of H₂SO₄ were found. Chemiluminescence was observed in the reaction of Ru(bpy)₃ ³⁺ with Ph₃Na in a THF-MeCN mixture. The chemiluminescence emitter was identified as Ru(bpy)₃ ^2+*. This emitter forms in the excited state in the elementary reaction of electron transfer from the Ph₃C⁻ anion to Ru(bpy)₃ ³⁺. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 292–294, February, 1999.     

Ionic strength effects in binary aqueous mixtures: Study of the reaction between Co(en)2(2-pzCO2)2+ and Fe(CN)5H2O3−

The reaction between Co(en)₂(2?pzCO₂)²⁺ (bis-ethylenediamine (2-pyrazinecarboxylato)cobalt(III)) and Fe(CN)₅H₂O^3? (aquopentacyanoferrate(II)) to form the binuclear complex [(en)₂Co( μ-pzCO₂)Fe(CN)₅]^? has been studied in several isodielectric binary mixtures at 298.2 K (cosolvents: methanol, ethanol, tertbutyl alcohol, ethyleneglycol, and glycerol). Results were rationalized by using a free energy relationship. The importance of correcting the rate constants obtained in the different mixtures from the ionic strength influence has been shown. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Asymmetric salt effects on anion/cation reactions: A comparative study of the [Fe(CN)6]4− + [Co(NH3)5pz]3+ and [Ru(NH3)5pz]2+ + [Co(C2O4)3]3− reactions

The kinetics of electron transfer reactions between [Fe(CN)₆]^4? and [Co(NH₃)₅pz]³⁺ and between [Ru(NH₃)₅pz]²⁺ and [Co(C₂O₄)₃]^3? was studied in concentrated salt solutions (Na₂SO₄, LiNO₃, and Ca(NO₃)₂). An analysis of the experimental kinetic data, k_obs, permits us to obtain the true (unimolecular) electron transfer rate constants corresponding to the true electron transfer process (precursor complex → successor complex), k_et. The variations of both, k_obs and k_et, with salt concentrations are opposite for these reactions. These opposite tendencies can be rationalized by using the Marcus–Hush treatment for electron transfer reactions. The conclusion is that the negative salt effect found for the first reaction ([Fe(CN)₆]^4? + [Co(NH₃)₅pz]³⁺) is due to the increase of the reaction and reorganization free energies when the concentration of salt increases. In the case of the second reaction ([Ru(NH₃)₅pz]²⁺ + [Co(C₂O₄)₃]^3?), the positive salt effect observed is caused by the fact that the driving force becomes more favorable when the concentration of salt increases. Thus, it is shown that for anion/cation electron transfer reactions the kinetic salt effect depends on the charge sign of the oxidant (and the reductant). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 81–89, 2005     

Synthesis of Isotope Enriched (CN3H6)2[57Fe(CN)5NO] starting from 57Fe

A high‐yield, mmolar‐scale synthesis of pure guanidinium nitroprusside, (CN₃H₆)₂[⁽⁵⁷⁾Fe(CN)₅NO] (GNP) from iron metal is described. The iron metal contained pieces of 95.3% ⁵⁷Fe together with normal iron so that an isotope enrichment in ⁵⁷Fe of 25% was achieved. Single‐crystals of GNP could be grown in cubic shape and dimensions of about 3 × 4 × 4 mm³. The purity of the GNP product and the intermediates K₄[⁽⁵⁷⁾Fe(CN)₆] · 3 H₂O and Na₂[⁽⁵⁷⁾Fe(CN)₅NO] · 2 H₂O was ascertained by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy as well as ¹³C, ¹⁴N and ⁵⁷Fe NMR spectroscopy. The ⁵⁷Fe NMR chemical shift for [⁽⁵⁷⁾Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– in GNP was detected at +2004.0 ppm [vs Fe(CO)₅].     

The formation of an antitubercular complex [Fe(CN)5(INH)]3− through mercury(II)‐catalyzed ligand substitution reaction: A kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics and mechanism of the formation of an antitubercular complex [Fe(CN)₅(INH)]^3? based on the substitution reaction between K₄[Fe(CN)₆] and isoniazid (INH), i.e., isonicotinohydrazide, catalyzed by Hg²⁺ in aqueous medium was studied spectrophotometrically at 435 nm (the λ_max of the golden‐yellow‐colored complex [Fe(CN)₅(INH)]^3?) as a function of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and the concentration of the reactants and the catalyst. The replacement of coordinated CN^? in [Fe(CN)₆]^4? was facilitated by incoming ligand INH under the optimized reaction conditions: pH 3.5 ± 0.02, temperature = 30.0 ± 0.1°C, and ionic strength I = 0.05 M (KNO₃). The stoichiometry of the reaction and the stability constant of the complex ([Fe(CN)₅(INH)]^3?) have been established as 1:1 and 2.10 × 10³ M, respectively. The rate of catalyzed reaction was found to be slow at low pH values, to increase with increasing pH, to attain a maximum value at 3.50 ± 0.02, and finally to decrease after pH > 3.5 due to less availability of H⁺ ions needed to regenerate the catalytic species. The initial rates were evaluated for each variation from the absorbance versus time curves. The reaction was found to be pseudo‐first order with respect to [INH] and first order with respect to [Fe(CN)₆^4?] at lower concentration, whereas it was found to be fractional order at higher [INH] and [Fe(CN)₆^4?]. The ionic strength dependence study showed a negative salt effect on the rate of the reaction. Based on experimental results, a mechanism for the studied reaction is proposed. The rate equation derived from this mechanism explains all the experimental observations. The evaluated values of activation parameters for the catalyzed reaction suggest an interchange dissociative (I_d) mechanism. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 398–406, 2012     

Synthesis,DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of cobalt(III) complexes [Co(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(dpta)]<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and [Co(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(amtp)]<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Two novel cobalt(III) mixed-polypyridyl complexes [Co(bpy)₂(dpta)]³⁺ and [Co(bpy)₂(amtp)]³⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dpta = dipyrido-[3,2-a;2′,3′-c]-thien-[3,4-c]azine, amtp = 3-amino-1,2,4-triazino[5,6-f]-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized. The interaction of Co^III complexes with calf thymus DNA was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results suggest that the two complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode. Moreover, Co^III complexes have been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid DNA pBR322 under irradiation at 365 nm. The mechanism studies reveal that hydroxyl radical (OH^•) is likely to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage of plasmid DNA by [Co(bpy)₂(dpta)]³⁺ and superoxide anion radical (O ₂ ^•− ) acts as the key role in the cleavage reaction of plasmid DNA by [Co(bpy)₂(amtp)]³⁺.     

NO donors cis-[Ru(bpy)2(L)NO] and [Fe(CN)4(L)NO] complexes immobilized on modified mesoporous silica spheres

The reaction of [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] and Na₂[Fe(CN)₄(dmso)₂] complexes with isonicotinic acid immobilized on silica spheres (Si-ATPS-ISN) followed by a NO bubbling produced Si-ATPS-ISN-[Ru(bpy)₂(NO)] (system I) and Si-ATPS-ISN-[Fe(CN)₄(NO)] (system II). The characterization of these systems was carried out by UV–Vis, FTIR spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. As judged by the FTIR data, the nitric oxide ligand has an NO⁺ character in both systems (ν(NO⁺): 1938 cm⁻¹). The NO release, which was monitored by means of FTIR, electrochemistry, and NO sensor electrode, was observed for both systems upon white light irradiation and chemical reduction by cysteine. These results indicated that the system (II) presents a higher potential for controlled NO release. The characterization (FTIR and UV–Vis) of the systems after the NO release suggested the formation of the aqua systems ATPS-ISN-[Ru(bpy)₂(OH₂)] and ATPS-ISN-[Ru(bpy)₂(OH₂)].     

Formation of [Ru(bpy)3]2+‐Containing Microstructures Induced by Electrostatic Assembly and Their Application in Solid‐State Detection of Electrochemiluminescence

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺) is one of the most extensively studied and used electrochemiluminescent (ECL) compounds owing to its superior properties, which include high sensitivity and stability under moderate conditions in aqueous solution. In this paper we present a simple method for the preparation of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐containing microstructures based on electrostatic assembly. The formation of such microstructures occurs in a single process by direct mixing of aqueous solutions of [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ and K₃[Fe(CN)₆] at room temperature. The electrostatic interactions between [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ cations and [Fe(CN)₆]^3? anions cause them to assemble into the resulting microstructures. Both the molar ratio and concentration of reactants were found to have strong influences on the formation of these microstructures. Most importantly, the resulting [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐containing microstructures exhibit excellent ECL behavior and, therefore, hold great promise for solid‐state ECL detection in capillary electrophoresis (CE) or CE microchips.     

[M(bpy)3] (M = Fe,Ru, Os): New Crystalline Materials from the reductive electrocrystallization of [M(bpy)3](PF6)2

Reductive electrocrystallization at a constant current density (11.0–11.5 μA/cm²) of millimolar solutions of [M(bpy)₃](PF₆)₂, where M = Fe, Ru, or Os, and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine in acetonitrile containing 0.1M Bu₄NPF₆ results in the formation of dark crystals on the Pt cathode. The crystals grow as long, thin, and shiny needles having a hexagonal cross section of 0.1–0.5 mm in diameter. Combustion microanalyses results are consistent with the composition for [Fe(bpy)₃], [Ru(bpy)₃], and [Os(bpy)₃]. In addition, the chromophores are conserved, as confirmed by recording both the electronic and the ¹H-NMR spectra after reoxidation of the electrocrystals in humid air. The spectra are identical to those for authentic samples of [Fe(bpy)₃]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, and [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺. A ratio of 2.0 ± 0.1 e^?/molecule is observed upon completion of the controlled potential electrolysis of a solution of [M(bpy)₃]²⁺, which results in the precipitation of a dark solid and the almost complete fading of the color of the original solution. Unexpectedly, the crystals do not exhibit an ESR signal. These data indicate the formation of novel materials, crystalline [Fe(bpy)₃], [Ru(bpy)₃], and [Os(bpy)₃].     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of two cyano-bridged two-dimensional assemblies [Fe(salpn)]2 [Fe(CN)5NO] and [Fe(salpn)]2[Ni(CN)4]

Two cyano-bridged assemblies, [Fe^III(salpn)]₂[Fe^II(CN)₅NO] (1) and [Fe^III (salpn)]₂[Ni^II(CN)₄] (2) [salpn = N, N-1,2-propylenebis(salicylideneiminato)dianion], have been prepared and structurally and magnetically characterized. In each complex, [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– or [Ni(CN)₄]^2– coordinates with four [Fe(salpn)]⁺ cations using four co-planar CN^– ligands, whereas each [Fe(salpn)]⁺ links two [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– or [Ni(CN)₄]^2– ions in the trans form, which results in a two-dimensional (2D) network consisting of pillow-like octanuclear [—M^II—CN—Fe^III—NC—]₄ units (M = Fe or Ni). In complex (1), the NO group of [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– remains monodentate and the bond angle of Fe^II—N—O is 180.0°. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities, measured in the 5–300 K range, show weak intralayer antiferromagnetic interactions in both complexes with the intramolecular iron(III)iron(III) exchange integrals of –0.017 cm^–1 for (1) and –0.020 cm^–1 for (2), respectively.     

Study of the Light‐Induced Spin Crossover Process of the [FeII(bpy)3]2+ Complex

Ab initio calculations have been performed on [Fe^II(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=bipyridine) to establish the variation of the energy of the electronic states relevant to light‐induced excited‐state spin trapping as a function of the Fe? ligand distance. Light‐induced spin crossover takes place after excitation into the singlet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) band. We found that the corresponding electronic states have their energy minimum in the same region as the low‐spin (LS) state and that the energy dependence of the triplet MLCT states are nearly identical to the ¹MLCT states. The high‐spin (HS) state is found to cross the MLCT band near the equilibrium geometry of the MLCT states. These findings give additional support to the hypothesis of a fast singlet–triplet interconversion in the MLCT manifold, followed by a ³MLCT–HS (⁵T₂) conversion accompanied by an elongation of the Fe? N distance.     

Molecular and Crystal Structures of Mononuclear trans‐[Fe(CN)2(tOcNC)4] and trans‐[Mn(CN)(CO)(tOcNC)4] as well as of Cyanide Bridged Coordination Polymers Derived from trans‐[M(CN)2(tOcNC)4] (M = Fe,Ru)

The octahedral complexes trans‐[Fe(CN)₂(^tOcNC)₄] and trans‐[Mn(CN)(CO)(^tOcNC)₄] are produced by the reaction of 2‐isocyano‐2,4,4‐trimethyl‐pentane (tert. octyl‐isocyanide) with the corresponding transition metal carbonyls Fe₂(CO)₉ and Mn₂(CO)₁₀. In contrast to isostructural compounds with less bulky tert.‐butylisocyanide ligands the cyanide groups in trans‐[Fe(CN)₂(^tOcNC)₄] and trans‐[Mn(CN)(CO)(^tOcNC)₄] do not act as hydrogen bond acceptors towards solvent molecules in the crystal structures. In addition, the corresponding cis‐isomers are configurationally unstable. The reaction of trans‐[Fe(CN)₂(^tOcNC)₄] and trans‐[Ru(CN)₂(^tOcNC)₄] with MnCl₂, NiCl₂ and Co(NO₃)₂ ends up in the formation of cyanide bridged coordination polymers. X‐ray structure determinations of the cobalt compounds reveal different molecular structures. Whereas the former produces highly distorted infinite polymeric chains with the nitrate anions still coordinated to the cobalt centers, the latter forms polymers with the cobalt atoms being coordinated by four ethanol molecules to which the anions are bound via hydrogen bond interactions. The coordination geometries around ruthenium and cobalt in this coordination polymer are therefore nearly perfectly octahedral and tetrahedral, respectively. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of the coordination polymers at different temperatures are indicative of weak antiferromagnetic coupling of the paramagnetic centers along the polymeric chains.     

Mediated Electrocatalysis at the Electrodes Covered with [MIII(bpy)3](ClO4)3 (M=Co and Fe) in the Presence of Electroactive Solutes

Electron transfer processes for selected redox systems (ferrocene^0/+, decamethylferrocene^0/+, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylenediamine^0/+, 7,7,8,8‐tetracyano‐quinonedimethane^0/?/2?, cobaltocene^0/+, C₆₀^0/?, and benzoquinone^0/?) at electrodes modified by precipitation of electrochemically inactive [M^III(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₃ (M=Co and Fe, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) layers have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance studies. The mediation of heterogeneous electron transfer is observed for these systems. For an electrode modified with [M^III(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₃, the rate of the electrocatalytic mediation process depends on the formal potential of the redox system. If the formal potential of the redox system is close to the potential of [Co^II(bpy)₃]²⁺ oxidation (as is the case with the decamethylferrocene^0/+, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylenediamine^0/+ and 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinonedimethane^0/? systems), the rate of the electrode reaction is limited by the rate of the chemical reduction of the [Co^III(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₃ solid phase by the reduced form of redox couple. For C₆₀ and benzoquinone, which have more negative formal potentials for reduction, the rate of diffusion of the electroactive reactant to the electrode surface limits the rate of electrode process. The kinetics of mediated electrocatalysis are also affected by the solvent. In the case of the Fe(III)‐based layer, the diffusion of the electroactive reactant in the solution is the rate determining step for the catalytic process at the modified electrode for all studied systems. Electrodes modified with [Fe^III(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₃ have been used for the quantitative determination of electroactive compounds. For ferrocene and decamethylferrocene, a linear relationship between the catalytic reduction current and the concentration of reactant in the solution has been observed over the concentration range from 1 to 50 mM.     

Study of the ligand substitution reaction Fe (CN)5H2O3− + pyrazine in micellar solutions

The ligand substitution reaction Fe(CN)₅H₂O³⁻ + pyrazine → Fe(CN)₅ pyrazine³⁻ + H₂O has been studied in sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB, and salt aqueous solutions at 298.2 K. Kinetics were studied in dilute and concentrated salt solutions and in SDS and CTAB solutions at surfactant concentrations below and above the critical micelle concentration. Experimental results show that salt effects can be explained by considering the interaction between the cations present in the working media which come from the background electrolyte, and the Fe(CN)₅H₂O³⁻ species in the vicinity of the cyanide ligands. This interaction makes the release of the aqua ligand from the inner-coordination shell of the iron(II) complex to the bulk more difficult resulting in a decrease of the reaction rate when the electrolyte concentration increases. Kinetic data in surfactant solutions show that not only micellized surfactants are operative kinetically, but also nonmicellized surfactants are influencing the reactivity. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 377–384, 1997     

Cu2(dien)2Ag5(CN)9 containing the one‐dimensional polymeric cation [Cu(dien)Ag(CN)2]nn+ and the unusual [Ag2(CN)3]− anion (dien is diethylenetriamine)

From the 1:1 system of [Cu(dien)₂](NO₃)₂ and K[Ag(CN)₂] in water (dien is diethyl­enetri­amine, C₄H₁₃N₃), the novel compound catena‐poly­[bis­[[μ‐cyano‐1:2κ²C:N‐diethyl­enetri­amine‐2κ³N‐copper(II)silver(I)]‐μ‐cyano‐1:2′κ²C:N] di­cyano­silver(I) tri­cyanodisilver(I)], [CuAg(CN)₂(dien)]₂[Ag(CN)₂][Ag₂(CN)₃], has been isolated. The structure is formed from positively charged [–Cu(dien)–NC–Ag–CN–]_nⁿ⁺ chains and two isolated centrosymmetric [Ag(CN)₂]^? and [Ag₂(CN)₃]^? anions. In the cationic chains, the Cu atoms are linked by bridging di­cyano­argentate groups, and the deformed square‐pyramidal coordination polyhedron of the Cu^II cation is formed from a tridentate chelate‐like bonded dien ligand and two N‐bonded bridging cyano groups. One of the bridging cyano groups occupies the apical (ap) position [mean Cu—­N_eq = 2.02 (2) Å, and Cu—N_ap = 2.170 (3) Å; eq is equatorial]. Short argentophilic interactions in the range 3.16–­3.30 Å are present in the crystal structure.     

Ba2(CN2)(CN)2 und Sr2(CN2)(CN)2 – die ersten gemischten Cyanamid-cyanide

Ba₂(CN₂)(CN)₂ and Sr₂(CN₂)(CN)₂ – the First mixed Cyanamide Cyanides The mixed cyanamide-cyanides M₂(CN₂)(CN)₂ (M = Ba, Sr) were synthesized by the reaction of Ba₂N and SrCO₃, respectively, with HCN at 630°C. The crystal structure of Ba₂(CN₂)(CN)₂ was determined from single-crystal X-ray investigations at room temperature and ?100°C; the isostructural Sr₂(CN₂)(CN)₂ was refined using powder methods (P6₃/mmc; Ba₂(CN₂)(CN)₂: a = 1 066.52(5) pm, c=696.82(3) pm; Sr₂(CN₂)(CN)₂: a = 1 035.91(1) pm, c = 664.23(1) pm; Z = 4). The crystal structure is a partially filled defect variant of the anti-NiAs structure type with a distorted hexagonal close packed arrangement of M²⁺-ions. All CN₂^2? and one quarter of the CN^? ions occupy 3/4 of the octahedrally coordinated interstices, the remaining cyanide anions are located at 3/8 of the tetrahedral sites. In the crystal structure the CN^? are coordinated to the cations both end-on and side-on. All anions can be distinguished by vibrational spectroscopy.