X-Ray Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopic Study of Bis-(Pyridine Base) Complexes of Cadmium(II) Halogenides

Summary.  The molecular structures of bis-(pyridine base) complexes of cadmium(II) chloride and bromide, where the pyridine base is pyridine ( py), 3-methylpyridine (3-Me-py), 4-methylpyridine (4-Me-py), and 4-ethylpyridine (4-Et-py), were investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The crystal structures of CdCl₂ py ₂ (1), CdCl₂(3-Me-py)₂ (2), and CdCl₂(4-Me-py)₂ (3) were determined. All crystals are monoclinic; 1: a = 17.784(2), b = 8.666(1), c = 3.8252(7) ?, β = 91.54(1)°, space group: P2₁/n; 2: a = 11.89(1), b = 14.41(1), c = 3.874(6) ?, β = 92.3(1)°, space group: P2₁/a; 3: a = 21.091(2), b = 3.8884(5), c = 18.2317(3) ?, β = 113.64(1)°, space group: C2/c. The structures were refined to R/R _w values (%) of 3.2/5.5, 3.0/5.0, and 3.4/5.1 for 1–3. All cadmium atoms are octahedrally coordinated with the chloride ions forming infinite di-μ-chloro polymeric linear chains and the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine base in trans configuration. The Cd chains are oriented along the c-axis in 1 and 2 and along the b-axis in 3. The crystal structures indicate the absence of a peculiar interaction between the polymeric chains. The Raman spectra of eight complexes were measured in the range of 550–50 cm⁻¹, and the Raman peaks originating from cadmium-halogen vibrations were assigned. The Raman spectra of 1 and 2 are quite alike in the lattice mode vibration region. The resemblance of the cadmium-halogen vibration peaks indicates the same halogenide ion bridged octahedral structure for all complexes. Received March 27, 2001. Accepted (revised) June 19, 2001