STRUCTURE OF DIPERCHLORATOBIS(2,2',2''-TRIPYRIDYLAMINE)COPPER(II)

[Cu{(C5H4N)3N}2(ClO4)2], M(r) = 759.04, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 18.638 (2), b = 8.552 (3), c = 9.822 (1) angstrom, beta = 91.44 (1)-degrees, V = 1565.1 (6) angstrom 3, Z = 2, D(m) = 1.61 (1), D(x) = 1.611 Mg m-3, graphite monochromator, lambda(Mo K-alpha) = 0.71073 angstrom, mu = 0.97 mm-1, F(000) = 774, T = 293 K, R = 0.049 and wR = 0.063 for 2495 unique observed reflections with I > 3-sigma(I). The metal ion is six-coordinate and lies on a crystallographic centre of inversion so that the complex itself possesses inversion symmetry and is, therefore, a trans complex. The coordination geometry can be described as tetragonally distorted octahedral. The centrosymmetric tripyridylamine molecules, acting as bidentate ligands, coordinate in equatorial positions through the N atoms of two pyridyl rings of each molecule, with Cu-N bonds of 2.006 (3) and 1.992 (3) angstrom. The steric constraints imposed on the tripyridylamine molecules by the strictly planar equatorial coordination of the N atoms are manifested by an intraligand angle of 84.5 (1)-degrees and a puckering of the two coordinated pyridyl rings in each molecule. The centrosymmetrically related perchlorate groups weakly coordinate in axial positions, with a small deviation of 6.4-degrees, through one O atom, with Cu-O distances of 2.593 (8) angstrom and Cu-O-Cl angle of 136.9 (4)-degrees.