Bis{μ‐2,2′‐[(butane‐2,3‐diylidene)bis(azanylylidene)]dibenzenethiolato}dizinc(II)–dimethyl sulfoxide–methanol (2/0.18/0.82)

The asymmetric unit in the crystal structure of the title compound, [Zn₂(C₁₆H₁₄N₂S₂)₂]₂·0.18C₂H₆OS·0.82CH₃OH, consists of two ordered bis{μ‐2,2′‐[(butane‐2,3‐diylidene)bis(azanylylidene)]dibenzenethiolato}dizinc(II) molecules and a disordered solvent combination at the same location which refined to 18.1 (7)% dimethyl sulfoxide and 81.9 (7)% methanol. The compound has a metallic cluster structure formed by the joining together of two zinc(II) complex molecules, forming a rhomboidal Zn₂S₂ arrangement. This complex was previously suggested on the basis of nonstructural evidence to be a monomer [Jadamus, Fernando & Freiser (1964). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 86 , 3056–3059]. Each Zn^II atom is five‐coordinated and exhibits distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The structure may be of interest with respect to zinc–thiolate bonds, the coordination chemistry of Schiff bases and the folding of proteins. The structure displays weak intermolecular C—H...S, C—H...O and C—H...N interactions, and contains a unique bonding arrangement of the ligands around the Zn₂S₂ rhomboid.