Two isomorphous complexes: di­chloro­[phthalocyaninato(2–)]­tin(IV) and di­chloro­[phthalocyaninato(2–)]­germanium(IV)

Isomorphous triclinic forms of di­chloro­phthalocyaninato(2?)]­tin(IV), Sn(C₃₂H₁₆N₈)Cl₂], and di­chloro­phthalocyaninato(2?)]­ger­manium(IV), Sn(C₃₂H₁₆N₈)Cl₂], and a monoclinic form of the latter have been obtained from the reaction of pure tin and germanium powder, respectively, with phthalo­nitrile under a stream of ICl vapour. All three crystal structures consist of centrosymmetric SnPcCl₂] and GePcCl₂] Pc is phthalocyaninate(2?)] mol­ecules, which are separated but interacting. In the triclinic forms (Sn and Ge), the Pc macrocycles are not staggered but slipped, and in the monoclinic form (Ge), the mol­ecules are additionally inclined. In both cases, the central Sn or Ge atom is six‐coordinated by the four iso­indole N atoms of the Pc macrocyclic ligand and by two Cl atoms (located trans) into a tetragonal–bipyramidal structure. The arrangement of SnPcCl₂] and GePcCl₂] mol­ecules in the crystal structure is determined mainly by intermolecular C—H?Cl, π–π and van der Waals interactions.