Complexes of late transition metals containing the mixed donor ligands 2,6-(RSCH2)(2)C5H3N (R = Ph, Me): Crystal structures of [{Cu(2,6-(PhSCH2)(2)C5H3N)(mu-X)}(2)] (X = Cl, Br) and [Ni(2,6-(PhSCH2)(2)C5H3N)Br-2]

A range of NiX2 and CuX (X = halide) complexes containing the tridentate NS 2 ligands 2,6-bis(methylthiomethyl)pyridine (L-1) and 2,6-bis(phenylthiomet hyl)pyridine (L-2) were prepared. Reaction of CuX with 1 molar equivalent o f L-1 or L-2 afforded the binuclear species [{CuL(mu -X)}(2)] (L = L-1, X = Cl, L = L-2, X = Cl, Br, I). These compounds have been characterised by IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and microanalysis. Crystal s tructure determinations of [{CuL2(mu -X)}(2)] (X = Cl, Br) confirm the dime ric nature of these complexes through bridging halide centres, with the NS2 ligands coordinated through their pyridyl nitrogens and one of the sulfur atoms in a bidentate manner. Reaction of NiX2 with 1 molar equivalent of L- 1 or L-2 afforded mononuclear species for [NiLX2] (L = L-1, X = I; L = L-2, X = Br, I) and binuclear species for [NiLX2](2) (L = L-1, X = Cl, Br; L = L-2, X = Cl). These compounds have limited solubility and were characterise d through IR and UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopies and microanalysis. The c rystal structure determination of [(NiLBr2)-Br-2] confirms the compound to be monomeric with a five-coordinate, square pyramidal nickel centre.