NAH[CU-2(O2C2H3)(6)] - A NEW COMPOUND CONTAINING COPPER-TO-COPPER BONDING

While attempting the synthesis of the mineral diabolite Pb2CuCl2(OH)(4 ) via a gel growth method, a new and interesting copper compound was i solated. The slow crystal growth of this new blue compound was generat ed from silica gel acidified with acetic acid. The crystals grew in th e gel for over a period of one year. Attempted characterization using the X-ray powder technique indicated the crystals to be a new phase an d not that of the mineral diabolite. Single-crystal studies were carri ed out and a new structure was obtained. The structure is based on squ are pyramidal complexes of copper in which the two pyramids interact t hrough Cu-Cu bonds. Its chemical composition was deduced to be NaH[CU2 (O2C2H3)(6)]. The structure is similar to that found in the classical copper acetate dimer which possesses unusual magnetic properties. Its synthesis, chemical characterization, and structure is described. The space group for this new copper dimer is I2/a, Z = 4, with unit cell p arameters a = 8.145(2) Angstrom, b = 17.828(3) Angstrom, c = 13.531(2) Angstrom, and beta = 98.70(2)degrees. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.