An infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of the Hofmann-type complexes and clathrates: M(piperidine)2Ni(CN)4; M(piperidine)2Ni(CN)4·1.5G (M=Cd, Co, Ni or Cu; G=benzene)

New Hofmann-type complexes and clathrates of the forms M(piperidine)₂Ni(CN)₄ and M(piperidine)₂Ni(CN)₄·1.5G (M=Cd, Co, Ni or Cu; G=benzene) were prepared in powder form and their infrared and Raman spectra are reported. The spectral features suggest that these compounds are similar in structure to the Hofmann-type clathrates except for the copper compounds. The complex and clathrate of Cu have different spectral features in comparison with its analogues due to the Jahn-Teller effect.