SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURE OF [M(N-METHYLIMIDAZOLE)6]S8 (M = MN, FE, NI, MG) - POLYSULFIDE SALTS PREPARED BY THE REACTION N-METHYLIMIDAZOLE + METAL-POWDER + SULFUR

Powdered magnesium, manganese, iron, and nickel were found to dissolve in N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) solutions of elemental sulfur to give red-colored salts [M(N-MeIm)6]S8. The structure of the nickel complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1BAR with a = 8.027 (5) angstrom, b = 10.785 (2) angstrom, c = 11.531 (2) angstrom, alpha = 112.79 (2)-degrees, beta = 92.35 (3)-degrees, gamma = 96.11 (3)-degrees, Z = 1. The structure analysis revealed a centrosymmetric cation that is analogous to other hexakis(imidazole) complexes. The compounds [M(N-MeIm)6]S8 are rare examples of polysulfide salts of transition-metal complexes. The IR spectra of the new compounds were analyzed by comparison with samples of [M(N-MeIm)6]I2 that were prepared by the reaction of the metal powders with iodine in N-MeIm solution.