Synthesis,X-ray crystal structure and electrochemical properties of (dithiolato)(diimine)copper(II) complexes: [Cu(mnt)(phen)] n and [Cu(dmit)(phen)] 2

Copper (II) complexes Cu(dmit)(phen)]₂ (1) and Cu(mnt)(phen)] _n (2) (mnt^2??=?maleonitriledithiolate, dmit^2??=?1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate, phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline) have been prepared by ligand-exchange between phen and N(Bu)₄]₂Cu(dmit)₂] or N(Bu)₄]₂Cu(mnt)₂]. Both complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. In complex 1, dimers are extended into a two-dimensional array by weak S5–Cu contacts. In complex 2, monomers are extended into chains in a head-to-tail arrangement by weak Cu–S coordination bonds and π–π stacking interactions.