Bis(mu-3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholato-O-1 : O-1,O-2)bis[tris(pyridine-N)-cadmium(II)] dipyridine solvate

X-ray diffraction shows that the title cadmium(II) complex, [Cd-2(C14H20O2) (2)(C5H5N)(6)](.)2C(5)H(5)N, has a dimeric structure in which two (py)(3) C d(3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate) units (py is pyridine) are connected by two bridging O atoms, the coordination of the Cd atoms being distorted octahed ral. There are two symmetrically independent dimers in the crystal structur e; one is in a general position and the other lies about an inversion centr e. In both cases, the bridging Cd-O distances between the Cd-catecholate un its [2.224 (2)-2.237 (2) Angstrom] are shorter than the bridging Cd-O dista nces within the catecholate cycle [2.273 (2)-2.281 (2) Angstrom]. The Cd-N- py distances are 2.354 (2)-2.471 (2) Angstrom. Besides the main molecules, the crystal also contains pyridine solvate molecules.