Polymorphism of the dinuclear CoIII–Schiff base complex [Co2(o‐van‐en)3]·4CH3CN (o‐van‐en is a salen‐type ligand)

Reactions of Co(OH)₂ with the Schiff base bis(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine, denoted H₂(o‐van‐en), under different conditions yielded the previously reported complex aquabis(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(II), Co(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄)(H₂O)], 1 , under anaerobic conditions and two polymorphs of μ‐bis(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]bis{bis(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(III)} acetonitrile tetrasolvate, Co₂(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄)₃]·4CH₃CN, i.e. monoclinic 2 and triclinic 3 , in the presence of air. Both novel polymorphs were chemically and spectroscopically characterized. Their crystal structures are built up of centrosymmetric dinuclear Co₂(o‐van‐en)₃] complex molecules, in which each Co^III atom is coordinated by one tetradentate dianionic o‐van‐en ligand in an uncommon bent fashion. The pseudo‐octahedral coordination of the Co^III atom is completed by one phenolate O and one amidic N atom of the same arm of the bridging o‐van‐en ligand. In addition, the asymmetric units of both polymorphs contain two acetonitrile solvent molecules. The polymorphs differ in the packing orders of the dinuclear Co₂(o‐van‐en)₃] complex molecules, i.e. alternating ABABAB in 2 and AAA in 3 . In addition, differences in the conformations, the positions of the acetonitrile solvent molecules and the pattern of intermolecular interactions were observed. Hirshfeld surface analysis permits a qualitative inspection of the differences in the intermolecular space in the two polymorphs. A knowledge‐based study employing Full Interaction Maps was used to elucidate possible reasons for the polymorphism.