Copper(i) dicyanamide coordination polymers: Ladders, sheets, layers, diamond-like networks and unusual interpénétration!

The structures of six new derivatives of copper(i) dicyanamide (dicyanamide = N(CN)2 , dca) have been determined. Those of Cu(dca)(MeCN) 1 and Cu(dca)(Me4pyz),ra 2, Me4pyz = tetramethylpyrazine, both contain (6,3) sheets. Cui(dca)2(bipy)(MeCN)2-0.5bipy 3, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, consists of 1-D ladder-like polymers with intercalated bipy guests. Cu4(dca)4(bipy)3(MeCN)2 4 is composed of 2-D layers which each interpenetrate with four others in a parallel fashion, resulting in a novel 3-D interlocking oflayers. a-Cu(dca)(bpe) 5, bpe = l,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, consists of 2-D (4,4) sheets displaying twofold parallel interpénétration, while -Cu(dca)(bpe) 6 contains five diamond-like networks which interpenetrate in an unprecedented fashion. ©The Royal Society of Chemistry 2000.