Non-covalent polymerisation in the solid state: halogen-halogen vs. methyl-methyl interactions in the complexes of 2,4-di(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine ligands

Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes based on the triazine ligand 2,4-di(2'-pyridyl)-6-(p-bromo-phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine have been synthesised and characterised. The electrochemical, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the complexes have also been investigated, and the electron deficient triazine ligand has been shown to affect each of these properties. Further investigation of solid state structures of the ligand and its Fe(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes has established that stabilising Br-Br interactions exist which link neighbouring molecules to form one-dimensional tapes. A slight modification of the ligand, i.e., using 2,4-di(2'-pyridyl)-6-(p-methylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, in which the phenyl substituent has changed from a bromine to a methyl group, eliminates the one-dimensional tape and gives rise to significant pi-stacking interactions in the solid state.