Tris(2-cyanophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine: a by-product of metallophthalocyanine synthesis

Tris(2-cyanophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine {[C6H4(CN)](3)C3N3} has been identified as a by-product of the synthesis of metallophthalocyanines by IR and Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Tris(2-cyanophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine in the solid state exists in two crystalline modifications: monoclinic low temperature phase I, and triclinic high temperature phase II. The monoclinic phase is stable up to 270 degrees C, while the triclinic phase is stable above this temperature. The molecular structures of tris(2-cyanophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine were determined by X-ray structure analysis. The experimental geometries of the molecule in both modifications are compared with ab-initio calculations. Some remarks related with the phase transition and the molecular architecture are given.