Bis{(mu-acetato)[mu-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediaminato]copper(II)}copper(II) dioxane solvate

The structure of the title compound, [Cu{Cu(CH3CO2)(C17H16N2O2)}(2)]. C4H8O 2, contains a linear homotrinuclear complex with a central Cu-II ion which lies on an inversion centre. It has an irregular octahedral coordination in volving four O atoms from two N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediaminato ( SALPD(2-)) ligands and two acetate groups. The coordination about each of t he two terminal Cu-II ions related by the inversion centre comprises two O atoms and two N atoms from an SALPD(2-) ligand, as well as one acetate O at om. Each acetate anion bridges between a terminal and the central Cu-II ion , and these are mutually trans. The Cu Cu bridging distance is 3.1242(7)Ang strom. Taking into account that the dioxane molecules bridge trinuclear com plexes in neighbouring unit cells through Cu2 ... O5 contacts of 2.649(3) A ngstrom, each terminal Cu-II ion possesses irregular octahedral coordinatio n.