In the title compound, [Pd(C7H3NO4)(C10H8N2)]·H2O, the PdII cation is four-coordinated in a distorted square-planar coordination geometry defined by the two N atoms of the 2,2'-bi­pyridine ligand, one O atom and one N atom from the pyridine-2,6-di­carboxyl­ate anion. The complex and solvent water mol­ecule are linked by inter­molecular hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, the complex mol­ecules are stacked in columns along the a axis.

The title compound, {(C9H11N2)[Mn(NCS)3]}n, has been obtained as a side product of the salt metathesis reaction of 1-ethyl-3-methyl­imidazolium bromide, (EMIm)Br, and K2[Mn(NCS)4]. The structure consists of discrete 1-ethyl-3-methyl­imidazolium cations and an anionic two-dimensional network of manganese(II)-based complex anions, inter­connected by thio­cyanate ions. Every Mn2+ ion is coordinated by three S atoms of three NCS− ions and three N atoms of further three NCS− ions in a meridional octa­hedral fashion.

The title compound, [Co(C18H37N2)2(NCS)4], consists of a cobalt(II) ion positioned on the origin of the triclinic unit cell. It is coordinated by the N atoms of two trans-oriented 1-dodecyl-4-aza-1-azoniabi­cyclo­[2.2.2]octane (DABCO+) cations, which carry n-dodecyl chains at the non-coordinating N atoms. The distorted octa­hedral coordination environment of the CoII ion is completed through four N atoms of iso­thio­cyanate ions, which are arranged within the equatorial plane. Non-classical hydrogen bonding of the types C—H⋯N and C—H⋯S between the filamentous mol­ecules lead to the formation of layers parallel to (001).

The title compound, [Bi(C9H6NS2)3], was prepared by reacting BiCl3 and 2-mercapto-4-phenyl­thia­zole (LH) at room temperature in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:4. The mol­ecular structure reveals a slightly distorted square-pyramidal environment around the BiIII atom. Two of the three monoanionic ligands L− coordinate in an N,S-bidentate mode, while one shows a monodentate mode through an S atom. There are no significant inter­molecular inter­actions present in the crystal.

Irradiation of 1-(1-benzo­cyclo­butenyl­idene)benzo­cyclo­butene gives indeno­indene and its head-to-head photodimer nona­cyclo­[9.7.7.72,10.01,11.02,10.03,8.012,17.019,24.026,31]dotriaconta-3,5,7,12,14,16,19,21,23,26,28,30-dodeca­ene, C32H24. The mol­ecule is built from four essentially planar indane units attached to an elongated cyclo­butane ring. In the crystal, C—H⋯π inter­actions connect mol­ecules into layers parallel to the bc plane.

The asymmetric unit of the binuclear title compound, [Cu2(C8H7O3)4(H2O)2], comprises two halves of diaquatetra­kis­(μ-3-meth­oxy­benzoato-κ2O1:O1')dicopper(II) units. The paddle-wheel structure of each complex is completed by application of inversion symmetry, with the inversion centre situated at the midpoint between two CuII atoms in each dimer. The two CuII atoms of each centrosymmetric dimer are bridged by four 3-meth­oxy­benzoate anions resulting in Cu⋯Cu separations of 2.5961 (11) and 2.6060 (12) Å, respectively. The square-pyramidal coordination sphere of each CuII atom is completed by an apical water mol­ecule. Inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds of weak nature link the complexes into layers parallel to (100). The three-dimensional network structure is accomplished by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds inter­linking adjacent layers.

The title hepta­nuclear alkoxido(oxido)vanadium(V) oxide cluster complex, [V7(C10H19O)O17(C18H24N2)3]·CH3CN, was obtained by the reaction of [V8O20(C18H24N2)4] with 4-tert-butyl­cyclo­hexa­nol (mixture of cis and trans) in a mixed CHCl3/CH3CN solvent. The complex has a V7O18N6 core with approximately Cs symmetry, which is composed of two VO4 tetra­hedra, two VO6 octa­hedra and three VO4N2 octa­hedra. In the crystal, these complexes are linked together by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bi­pyridine ligand and the V7O18N6 core, forming a one-dimensional network along the c-axis direction. Besides the complex, the asymmetric unit contains one CH3CN solvent mol­ecule. The contribution of other disordered solvent mol­ecules to the scattering was removed using the SQUEEZE option in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. The unknown solvent mol­ecules are not considered in the chemical formula and other crystal data.

The title Schiff base compound, C13H9ClN4O5·0.5CH3CN, crystallizes as an aceto­nitrile hemisolvate; the solvent mol­ecule being located on a twofold rotation axis. The mol­ecule is nearly planar, with a dihedral angle between the two benzene rings of 3.7 (2)°. The configuration about the C=N bond is E, and there is an intra­molecular N—H⋯Onitro hydrogen bond present forming an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers lying parallel to (10overline{1}). The layers are linked by C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a supra­molecular framework. Within the framework there are offset π–π stacking inter­actions [inter­centroid distance = 3.833 (2) Å] present involving inversion-related mol­ecules. The DFT study shows that the HOMO and LUMO are localized in the plane extending from the phenol ring to the 2,4-di­nitro­benzene ring, and the HOMO–LUMO gap is found to be 0.13061 a.u.

The solvated centrosymmmtric title compound, [Li2(C24H34O4P)2(C10H8N2)2]·2C7H8, was formed in the reaction between {Li[(2,6-iPr2C6H3-O)2POO](MeOH)3}(MeOH) and 2,2'-bi­pyridine (bipy) in toluene. The structure has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry at 120 K and the asymmetric unit consists of half a complex mol­ecule and one mol­ecule of toluene solvent. The diaryl phosphate ligand demonstrates a μ-κO:κO'-bridging coordination mode and the 2,2'-bi­pyridine ligand is chelating to the Li+ cation, generating a distorted tetra­hedral LiN2O2 coordination polyhedron. The complex exhibits a unique dimeric Li2O4P2 core. One isopropyl group is disordered over two orientations in a 0.621 (4):0.379 (4) ratio. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions help to consolidate the packing. Catalytic systems based on the title complex and on the closely related complex {Li[(2,6-iPr2C6H3-O)2POO](MeOH)3}(MeOH) display activity in the ring-opening polymerization of ∊-caprolactone and l-dilactide.

The title binuclear CoIII complex, [Co2(C9H8BrNOS)2(C18H16Br2N2O2S2)]·C3H7NO, with a Schiff base ligand formed in situ from cyste­amine (2-amino­ethane­thiol) and 5-bromo­salicyl­aldehyde crystallizes in the space group P21. It was found that during the synthesis the ligand undergoes spontaneous oxidation, forming the new ligand H2L' having an S—S bond. Thus, the asymmetric unit consists of one Co2(L)2(L') mol­ecule and one DMF solvent mol­ecule. Each CoIII ion has a slightly distorted octa­hedral S2N2O2 coordination geometry. In the crystal, the components are linked into a three-dimensional network by several S⋯ Br, C⋯ Br, C—H⋯Br, short S⋯C (essentially shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii for the atoms involved) contacts as well by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal studied was refined as an inversion twin.

The title compound (systematic name: bis­{2-[4-(acet­yloxy)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethan-1-aminium} but-2-enedioate), 2C14H19N2O2+·C4H2O42−, has a single protonated psilacetin cation and one half of a fumarate dianion in the asymmetric unit. There are N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the ammonium H atoms and the fumarate O atoms, as well as N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the indole H atoms and the fumarate O atoms. The hydrogen bonds hold the ions together in infinite one-dimensional chains along [111].

The title compound, [Fe2(C44H28N4O)2O], was obtained as a by-product during the synthesis of FeIII tetra­phenyl­porphyrin perchlorate. It crystallizes as a new polymorphic modification in addition to the ortho­rhom­bic form previously reported [Hoffman et al. (1972). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 94, 3620–3626; Swepston & Ibers (1985) Acta Cryst. C41, 671–673; Kooijmann et al. (2007). Private Communication (refcode 667666). CCDC, Cambridge, England]. In its crystal structure, the two crystallographically independent FeIII cations are coordinated in a square-planar environment by the four N atoms of a tetra­phenyl­porphyrin ligand. The FeIII-tetra­phenyl­porphyrine units are linked by a μ2-oxido ligand into a dimer with an Fe—O—Fe angle close to linearity. The final coordination sphere for each FeIII atom is square-pyramidal with the μ2-oxido ligand in the apical position. The crystal under investigation consisted of two domains in a ratio of 0.691 (3): 0.309 (3).

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Fe(NCS)2(C12H9NO)4], consists of an FeII ion that is located on a centre of inversion, as well as two 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands and one thio­cyanate anion in general positions. The FeII ions are coordinated by two N-terminal-bonded thio­cyanate anions and four 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands into discrete complexes with a slightly distorted octa­hedral geometry. These complexes are further linked by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the c-axis direction. Upon heating, this complex loses half of the 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands and transforms into a compound with the composition Fe(NCS)2(4-benzoyl­pyridine)2, that might be isotypic to the corresponding MnII compound and for which the structure is unknown.

Typical electroless copper baths (ECBs), which are used to chemically deposit copper on printed circuit boards, consist of an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution, a copper(II) salt, formaldehyde as reducing agent, an l-(+)-tartrate as complexing agent, and a 2,2'-bi­pyridine derivative as stabilizer. Actual speciation and reactivity are, however, largely unknown. Herein, we report on the synthesis and crystal structure of aqua-1κO-bis­(4,4'-dimeth­oxy-2,2'-bi­pyri­dine)-1κ2N,N';2κ2N,N'-[μ-(2R,3R)-2,3-dioxidosuccinato-1κ2O1,O2:2κ2O3,O4]dicopper(II) octa­hydrate, [Cu2(C12H12N2O2)2(C4H2O6)(H2O)]·8H2O, from an ECB mock-up. The title compound crystallizes in the Sohncke group P21 with one chiral dinuclear complex and eight mol­ecules of hydrate water in the asymmetric unit. The expected retention of the tartrato ligand's absolute configuration was confirmed via determination of the absolute structure. The complex mol­ecules exhibit an ansa-like structure with two planar, nearly parallel bi­pyridine ligands, each bound to a copper atom that is connected to the other by a bridging tartrato `handle'. The complex and water mol­ecules give rise to a layered supra­molecular structure dominated by alternating π stacks and hydrogen bonds. The understanding of structures ex situ is a first step on the way to prolonged stability and improved coating behavior of ECBs.

Reductive cyclization of 1,3,5-triphenyl- and 3-(2-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1,5-di­phenyl­pentane-1,5-diones by zinc in acetic acid medium leads to the formation of 1,2,4-tri­phenyl­cyclo­pentane-1,2-diol [1,2,4-Ph3C5H5-1,2-(OH)2, C23H22O2, (I)] and 4-(2-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1,2-di­phenyl­cyclo­pentane-1,2-diol [4-(2-MeOC6H4)-1,2-Ph2C5H5-1,2-(OH)2, C24H24O3, (II)]. Their single crystals have been obtained by crystallization from a THF/hexane solvent mixture. Diols (I) and (II) crystallize in ortho­rhom­bic (Pbca) and triclinic (Poverline{1}) space groups, respectively, at 150 K. Their asymmetric units comprise one [in the case of (I)] and three [in the case of (II)] crystallographically independent mol­ecules of the achiral (1R,2S,4r)-diol isomer. Each hydroxyl group is involved in one intra­molecular and one inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond, forming one-dimensional chains. Compounds (I) and (II) have been used successfully as precatalyst activators for the ring-opening polymerization of ∊-caprolactone.

The reaction of 2,5-bis­(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,4-oxa­diazole (4-pox) and thio­cyanate ions, used as co-ligand with nickel salt NiCl2·6H2O, produced the title complex, [Ni(NCS)2(C12H8N4O)2(H2O)2]. The NiII atom is located on an inversion centre and is octa­hedrally coordinated by four N atoms from two ligands and two pseudohalide ions, forming the equatorial plane. The axial positions are occupied by two O atoms of coordinated water mol­ecules. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network through strong O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to investigate the inter­molecular inter­actions in the crystal packing.

The synthesis, spectroscopic data, crystal and mol­ecular structures of two N'-(1-phenyl­benzyl­idene)-2-(thio­phen-3-yl)acetohydrazides, namely N'-[1-(4-hy­droxy­phen­yl)benzyl­idene]-2-(thio­phen-3-yl)acetohydrazide, C13H10N2O2S, (3a), and N'-[1-(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)benzyl­idene]-2-(thio­phen-3-yl)acetohydrazide, C14H14N2O2S, (3b), are described. Both compounds differ in the substituent at the para position of the phenyl ring: –OH for (3a) and –OCH3 for (3b). In (3a), the thio­phene ring is disordered over two orientations with occupancies of 0.762 (3) and 0.238 (3). The configuration about the C=N bond is E. The thio­phene and phenyl rings are inclined by 84.0 (3) and 87.0 (9)° for the major- and minor-occupancy disorder components in (3a), and by 85.89 (12)° in (3b). Although these dihedral angles are similar, the conformation of the linker between the two rings is different [the C—C—C—N torsion angle is −ac for (3a) and −sc for (3b), while the C6—C7—N9—N10 torsion angle is +ap for (3a) and −sp for (3b)]. A common feature in the crystal packing of (3a) and (3b) is the presence of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of chains of mol­ecules running along the b-axis direction in the case of (3a), or inversion dimers for (3b). The most prominent contributions to the surface contacts are those in which H atoms are involved, as confirmed by an analysis of the Hirshfeld surface.

The title compound, C12H21NO7, (I), is conformationally unstable; the predominant form present in its solution is the β-pyran­ose form (74.3%), followed by the β- and α-furan­oses (12.1 and 10.2%, respectively), α-pyran­ose (3.4%), and traces of the acyclic carbohydrate tautomer. In the crystalline state, the carbohydrate part of (I) adopts the 2C5 β-pyran­ose conformation, and the amino acid portion exists as a zwitterion, with the side chain cyclo­pentane ring assuming the E9 envelope conformation. All heteroatoms are involved in hydrogen bonding that forms a system of anti­parallel infinite chains of fused R33(6) and R33(8) rings. The mol­ecule features extensive intra­molecular hydrogen bonding, which is uniquely multicentered and involves the carboxyl­ate, ammonium and carbohydrate hy­droxy groups. In contrast, the contribution of inter­molecular O⋯H/H⋯O contacts to the Hirshfeld surface is relatively low (38.4%), as compared to structures of other d-fructose-amino acids. The 1H NMR data suggest a slow rotation around the C1—C2 bond in (I), indicating that the intra­molecular heteroatom contacts survive in aqueous solution of the mol­ecule as well.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Zn(C6H8N4B)2(C12H8N2)], comprises one half of a ZnII cation (site symmetry 2), one di­hydro­bis­(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligand in a general position, and one half of a phenanthroline ligand, the other half being completed by twofold rotation symmetry. The ZnII cation is coordinated in form of a slightly distorted octa­hedron by the N atoms of a phenanthroline ligand and by two pairs of N atoms of symmetry-related di­hydro­bis­(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligands. The discrete complexes are arranged into columns that elongate in the c-axis direction with a parallel alignment of the phenanthroline ligands, indicating weak π–π inter­actions.

The heterobifunctional organic ligand, 3-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)adamantane-1-carboxyl­ate (tr-ad-COO−), was employed for the synthesis of the title silver(I) coordination polymer, {[Ag(C13H16N3O2)]·2H2O}n, crystallizing in the rare ortho­rhom­bic C2221 space group. Alternation of the double μ2-1,2,4-triazole and μ2-η2:η1-COO− (chelating, bridging mode) bridges between AgI cations supports the formation of sinusoidal coordination chains. The AgI centers possess a distorted {N2O3} square-pyramidal arrangement with τ5 = 0.30. The angular organic linkers connect the chains into a tetra­gonal framework with small channels along the c-axis direction occupied by water mol­ecules of crystallization, which are inter­linked via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with carboxyl­ate groups, leading to right- and left-handed helical dispositions.

The title coordination polymer, {[Cu3(C4H4N3O9)3(SeO4)(OH)]·2H2O}n or ([Cu3(μ3-OH)(trgly)3(SeO4)]·2H2O), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The three independent Cu2+ cations adopt distorted square-pyramidal geometries with {O2N2+O} polyhedra. The three copper centres are bridged by a μ3-OH anion, leading to a triangular [Cu3(μ3-OH)] core. 2-(1,2,4-Triazol-4-yl)acetic acid (trgly-H) acts in a deprotonated form as a μ3-κ3N1:N2:O ligand. The three triazolyl groups bridge three copper centres of the hydroxo-cluster in an N1:N2 mode, thus supporting the triangular geometry. The [Cu3(μ3-OH)(tr)3] clusters serve as secondary building units (SBUs). Each SBU can be regarded as a six-connected node, which is linked to six neighbouring triangles through carboxyl­ate groups, generating a two-dimensional uninodal (3,6) coordination network. The selenate anion is bound in a μ3-κ3O1:O2:O3 fashion to the trinuclear copper platform. The [Cu3(OH)(trgly)3(SeO4)] coordination layers and guest water mol­ecules are linked together by numerous O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, leading to a three-dimensional structure.

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni(C63H31F10N5S2)]·xCH2Cl2 (x > 1/2), consists of Ni–porphyrin complexes that are located in general positions and di­chloro­methane solvent mol­ecules that are disordered around centers of inversion. The NiII ions are in a square-pyramidal (CN5) coordination, with four porphyrin N atoms in the equatorial and a pyridine N atom in the apical position and are shifted out of the porphyrine N4 plane towards the coordinating pyridine N atom. The pyridine substituent is not exactly perpendicular to the N4 plane with an angle of inter­section between the planes planes of 80.48 (6)°. The di­chloro­methane solvent mol­ecules are hydrogen bonded to one of the four porphyrine N atoms. Two complexes are linked into dimers by two symmetry-equivalent C—H⋯S hydrogen bonds. These dimers are closely packed, leading to cavities in which additional di­chloro­methane solvent mol­ecules are embedded. These solvent mol­ecules are disordered and because no reasonable split model was found, the data were corrected for disordered solvent using the PLATON SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18].

The reaction of 2-methyl­thio-5-amino-1,3,4-thia­diazole (Me-SNTD; C3H5N3S2) with copper(II) acetate monohydrate [Cu(OAc)2·H2O; C4H8CuO5] resulted in the formation of the title binuclear compound, [Cu2(C2H3O2)4(C3H5N3S2)2] or [Cu2(OAc)4(Me-SNTD)2]. The structure has triclinic (P overline{1}) symmetry with a crystallographic inversion centre located at the midpoint of the line connecting the Cu atoms in the dimer. These two Cu atoms of the dimer [Cu⋯Cu = 2.6727 (6) Å] are held together by four carboxyl­ate groups. Each Cu atom is further coordinated to the N atom of an Me-SNTD mol­ecule and exhibits a Jahn–Teller-distorted octa­hedral geometry. The dimers are connected into infinite chains by hydrogen bonds between the NH (Me-SNTD) and the carboxyl­ate groups of neighbouring mol­ecules, generating an R22(12) ring motif. The mol­ecules are further linked by C—H⋯π inter­actions between the thia­diazole rings and the methyl groups of the acetate units.

The synthesis and structural characterization of the mol­ecular compound (μ3-benzene-1,2-di­thiol­ato)hexa­carbonyl­bis­(μ3-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene-2,3-dithiolato)tricobaltmolybdenum, [Co3Mo(C4F6S2)2(C6H4S2)(CO)6] or Mo(tfd)2(bdt)(Co(CO)2)3 (tfd is 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene-2,3-dithiolate and bdt is benzene-1,2-di­thiol­ate), are reported. The structure of the mol­ecule contains the molybdenum tris­(di­thiol­ene) complex Mo(tfd)2(bdt) coordinated as a multidentate ligand to three cobalt dicarbonyl units. Each of the three cobalt centers is relatively close to molybdenum, with Co⋯Mo distances of 2.7224 (7), 2.8058 (7), and 2.6320 (6) Å. Additionally, each of the cobalt centers is bound via main-group donor atoms, but each one in a different way: the first cobalt atom is coordinated by two sulfur atoms from different di­thiol­enes (bdt and tfd). The second cobalt atom is coordinated by one sulfur from one tfd and two olefinic carbons from another tfd. The third cobalt is coordinated by one sulfur from bdt and two sulfurs from tfd. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first structurally characterized example of a molybdenum (tris­)di­thiol­ene complex that coordinates to cobalt. The F atoms of two of the –CF3 groups were refined as disordered over two sets of sites with ratios of refined occupancies of 0.703 (7):0.297 (7) and 0.72 (2):0.28 (2).

A new mononuclear NiII complex with bis­(pyridin-2-yl)amine (dpyam) and benzoate (benz), [Ni(C7H5O2)2(C10H9N3)], crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c. The NiII ion adopts a cis-distorted octa­hedral geometry with an [NiN2O4] chromophore. In the crystal, the complex mol­ecules are linked together into a one-dimensional chain by symmetry-related π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.7257 (17) Å], along with N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is further stabilized by C—H⋯π inter­actions, which were investigated by Hirshfeld surface analysis.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Fe(C13H18BN6)2], contains two half independent complex mol­ecules. In each complex, the FeII atom is located on an inversion center and is surrounded by two scorpionate ligand butyl­tris­(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)borate mol­ecules that coordinate to the iron(II) ion through the N atoms of the pyrazole groups. The two independent complex mol­ecules differ essentially in the conformation of the butyl substituents. In the crystal, the complex mol­ecules are linked by a series of C—H⋯π inter­actions, which generate a supra­molecular three-dimensional structure. At 120 K, the average Fe—N bond distance is 1.969 Å, indicating the low-spin state of the iron(II) atom, which does not change upon heating, as demonstrated by high-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements.

The reaction of bis­(3-oxo-1,3-di­phenyl­prop-1-enolato-κ2O,O')zinc(II), [Zn(dbm)2], with tris­[4-(pyridin-3-yl)phen­yl]amine (T3PyA) in tetra­hydro­furan (THF) afforded the title crystalline coordination polymer, {[Zn(C15H11O2)2(C33H24N4)]·C4H8O}n. The asymmetric unit contains two independent halves of Zn(dbm)2, one T3PyA and one THF. Each ZnII atom is located on an inversion centre and adopts an elongated octa­hedral coordination geometry, ligated by four O atoms of two dbm ligands in equatorial positions and by two N atoms of pyridine moieties from two different bridging T3PyA ligands in axial positions. The crystal packing shows a one-dimensional polymer chain in which the two pyridyl groups of the T3PyA ligand bridge two independent Zn atoms of Zn(dbm)2. In the crystal, the coordination polymer chains are linked via C—H⋯π inter­actions into a sheet structure parallel to (010). The sheets are cross-linked via further C—H⋯π inter­actions into a three-dimensional network. The solvate THF mol­ecule shows disorder over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.631 (7) and 0.369 (7).

In the title compound, [Cd(NO3)2(C13H11N3)2], the CdII atom lies on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated by four N atoms and two O atoms, provided by two bidentate 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)aniline ligands, and two nitrato O atoms, forming a distorted octa­hedral geometry [range of bond angles around the Cd atom = 73.82 (2)–106.95 (8)°]. In the ligand, the dihedral angle between the aniline ring and the benzimidazole ring system is 30.43 (7)°. The discrete complex mol­ecule is stabilized by an intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules, forming a three-dimensional network.

The title compound, [Ni(C64H33F10N5S2)]·xCH2Cl2, consists of discrete NiII porphyrin complexes, in which the five-coordinate NiII cations are in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The four porphyrin nitro­gen atoms are located in the basal plane of the pyramid, whereas the pyridine N atom is in the apical position. The porphyrin plane is strongly distorted and the NiII cation is located above this plane by 0.241 (3) Å and shifted in the direction of the coordinating pyridine nitro­gen atom. The pyridine ring is not perpendicular to the N4 plane of the porphyrin moiety, as observed for related compounds. In the crystal, the complexes are linked via weak C—H⋯F hydrogen bonds into zigzag chains propagating in the [001] direction. Within this arrangement cavities are formed, in which highly disordered di­chloro­methane solvate mol­ecules are located. No reasonable structural model could be found to describe this disorder and therefore the contribution of the solvent to the electron density was removed using the SQUEEZE option in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18].

The crystal and mol­ecular structures of the title triorganotin di­thio­carbamate, [Sn(C6H5)3(C7H14NS2)], are described. The mol­ecular geometry about the metal atom is highly distorted being based on a C3S tetra­hedron as the di­thio­carbamate ligand is asymmetrically chelating to the tin centre. The close approach of the second thione-S atom [Sn⋯S = 2.9264 (4) Å] is largely responsible for the distortion. The mol­ecular packing is almost devoid of directional inter­actions with only weak phenyl-C—H⋯C(phen­yl) inter­actions, leading to centrosymmetric dimeric aggregates, being noted. An analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surface points to the significance of H⋯H contacts, which contribute 66.6% of all contacts to the surface, with C⋯H/H⋯C [26.8%] and S⋯H/H⋯H [6.6%] contacts making up the balance.

The PtII atom in the title complex, [Pt(C15H18N4O4S)(C2H6OS)], exists within a square-planar NS2O donor set provided by the N, S, O atoms of the di-anionic tridentate thio­semicarbazo ligand and a dimethyl sulfoxide S atom. The two chelate rings are coplanar, subtending a dihedral angle of 1.51 (7)°. The maximum deviation from an ideal square-planar geometry is seen in the five-membered chelate ring with an S—Pt—S bite angle of 96.45 (2)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via N—H⋯O, C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N and C—H⋯π inter­actions into two-dimensional networks lying parallel to the ab plane. The conformations of related cyclo­hexyl­hydrazine-1-carbo­thio­amide ligands are compared to that of the title compound.

In the title polymeric complex, {[FePt(CN)4(H2O)2]·2C3H6O}n, the FeII cation has an octa­hedral [FeN4O2] geometry being coordinated by two water mol­ecules and four cyanide anions. The Pt cation is located on an inversion centre and has a square-planar coordination environment formed by four cyanide groups. The tetra­cyano­platinate anions bridge the FeII cations to form infinite two-dimensional layers that propagate in the bc plane. Two guest mol­ecules of acetone per FeII are located between the layers. These guest acetone mol­ecules inter­act with the coordinated water mol­ecules by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

The title phospho­nate-based organic–inorganic hybrid framework, poly[bis(dimethylammonium) [(μ4-2,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,4-diphosphonato)zinc(II)]], {(C2H8N)2[Zn(C6H4O8P2)]}n, was formed unexpectedly when di­methyl­ammonium cations were formed from the in situ deca­rbonylation of the N,N-di­methyl­formamide solvent. The framework is built up from ZnO4 tetra­hedra and bridging di­phospho­nate tetra-anions to generate a three-dimensional network comprising [100] channels occupied by the (CH3)2NH2+ cations. Within the channels, an array of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds help to establish the structure. In addition, intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the appended –OH groups of the phenyl ring and adjacent PO32− groups are observed.

The title compound, [Fe(CF3SO3)2(C4H8O)4], is octa­hedral with two tri­fluoro­methane­sulfonate ligands in trans positions and four tetra­hydro­furane mol­ecules in the equatorial plane. By the conformation of the ligands the complex is chiral in the crystal packing. The compound crystallizes in the Sohncke space group P212121 and is enanti­omerically pure. The packing of the mol­ecules is determined by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component inversion twin.

The crystal and mol­ecular structures of the title CuII complex, isolated as a dihydrate, [Cu(C21H14N3O3)2]·2H2O, reveals a highly distorted coordination geometry inter­mediate between square-planar and tetra­hedral defined by an N2O2 donor set derived from two mono-anionic bidentate ligands. Furthermore, each six-membered chelate ring adopts an envelope conformation with the Cu atom being the flap. In the crystal, imidazolyl-amine-N—H⋯O(water), water-O—H⋯O(coordinated, nitro and water), phenyl-C—H⋯O(nitro) and π(imidazol­yl)–π(nitro­benzene) [inter-centroid distances = 3.7452 (14) and 3.6647 (13) Å] contacts link the components into a supra­molecular layer lying parallel to (101). The connections between layers forming a three-dimensional architecture are of the types nitro­benzene-C—H⋯O(nitro) and phenyl-C—H⋯π(phen­yl). The distorted coordination geometry for the CuII atom is highlighted in an analysis of the Hirshfeld surface calculated for the metal centre alone. The significance of the inter­molecular contacts is also revealed in a study of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces; the dominant contacts in the crystal are H⋯H (41.0%), O⋯H/H⋯O (27.1%) and C⋯H/H⋯C (19.6%).

In the crystal structure of the title com­pound, [Ni(NCS)2(CH3CN)2(C12H9NO)2] or Ni(NCS)2(4-benzoyl­pyridine)2(aceto­nitrile)2, the NiII ions are octa­hedrally coordinated by the N atoms of two thio­cyanate anions, two 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands and two aceto­nitrile mol­ecules into discrete com­plexes that are located on centres of inversion. In the crystal, the discrete com­plexes are linked by centrosymmetric pairs of weak C—H⋯S hydrogen bonds into chains. Thermogravimetric measurements prove that, upon heating, the title com­plex loses the two aceto­nitrile ligands and transforms into a new crystalline modification of the chain com­pound [Ni(NCS)2(4-benzoyl­pyridine)2], which is different from that of the corresponding CoII, NiII and CdII coordination polymers reported in the literature. IR spectroscopic investigations indicate the presence of bridging thio­cyanate anions but the powder pattern cannot be indexed and, therefore, this structure is unknown.

The asymmetric unit of the title com­pound, catena-poly[[[(perchlorato-κO)copper(II)]-μ-3-(3-carb­oxy­prop­yl)-1,5,8,12-tetra­aza-3-azonia­cyclo­tetra­decane-κ4N1,N5,N8,N12] bis­(per­chlorate)], {[Cu(C13H30N5O2)(ClO4)](ClO4)2}n, (I), consists of a macrocyclic cation, one coordinated per­chlorate anion and two per­chlorate ions as counter-anions. The metal ion is coordinated in a tetra­gonally distorted octa­hedral geometry by the four secondary N atoms of the macrocyclic ligand, the mutually trans O atoms of the per­chlorate anion and the carbonyl O atom of the protonated carb­oxy­lic acid group of a neighbouring cation. The average equatorial Cu—N bond lengths [2.01 (6) Å] are significantly shorter than the axial Cu—O bond lengths [2.379 (8) Å for carboxyl­ate and average 2.62 (7) Å for disordered per­chlorate]. The coordinated macrocyclic ligand in (I) adopts the most energetically favourable trans-III conformation with an equatorial orientation of the substituent at the protonated distal 3-position N atom in a six-membered chelate ring. The coordination of the carb­oxy­lic acid group of the cation to a neighbouring com­plex unit results in the formation of infinite chains running along the b-axis direction, which are cross­linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the secondary amine groups of the macrocycle and O atoms of the per­chlorate counter-anions to form sheets lying parallel to the (001) plane. Additionally, the extended structure of (I) is consolidated by numerous intra- and interchain C—H⋯O contacts.

The new title one-dimensional CdII coordination polymer, [Cd(C10H10N2)2(μ1,3-N3)2]n, has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The asymmetric unit consists of a CdII ion, one azide and one 1-benzyl­imidazole (bzi) ligand. The CdII ion is located on an inversion centre and is surrounded in a distorted octa­hedral coordination sphere by six N atoms from four symmetry-related azide ligands and two symmetry-related bzi ligands. The CdII ions are linked by double azide bridging ligands within a μ1,3-N3 end-to-end (EE) coordination mode, leading to a one-dimensional linear structure extending parallel to [100]. The supra­molecular framework is stabilized by the presence of weak C—H⋯N inter­actions, π–π stacking [centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.832 (2) Å] and C—H⋯π inter­actions between neighbouring chains.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, (C5H6N)[Cr(NCS)4(C5H5N)2]·C5H5N, the CrIII ions are octa­hedrally coordinated by four N-bonding thio­cyanate anions and two pyridine ligands into discrete negatively charged complexes, with the CrIII ion, as well as the two pyridine ligands, located on crystallographic mirror planes. The mean planes of the two pyridine ligands are rotated with respect to each other by 90°. Charge balance is achieved by one protonated pyridine mol­ecule that is hydrogen bonded to one additional pyridine solvent mol­ecule, with both located on crystallographic mirror planes and again rotated by exactly 90°. The pyridinium H atom was refined as disordered between both pyridine N atoms in a 70:30 ratio, leading to a linear N—H⋯N hydrogen bond. In the crystal, discrete complexes are linked by weak C—H⋯S hydrogen bonds into chains that are connected by additional C—H⋯S hydrogen bonding via the pyridinium cations and solvent mol­ecules into layers and finally into a three-dimensional network.

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni3(C8H4O4)3(C3H7NO)4], is a two-dimensional coordination network formed by trinuclear linear Ni3(tp)3(DMF)4 units (tp = terephthalate = benzene-1,4-di­carboxyl­ate and DMF = di­methyl­formamide) displaying a characteristic coordination mode of acetate groups in polynuclear metal–organic compounds. Individual trinuclear units are connected through tp anions in a triangular network that forms layers. One of the DMF ligands points outwards and provides inter­actions with equivalent planes above and below, leaving the second ligand in a structural void much larger than the DMF mol­ecule, which shows positional disorder. Parallel planes are connected mainly through weak C—H⋯O, H⋯H and H⋯C inter­actions between DMF mol­ecules, as shown by Hirshfeld surface analysis.

The reaction of t-Bu2Si(OH)2 with two equivalents of Cp2Zr(CH3)2 produces the title t-Bu2SiO2-siloxide bridged dimer, [Zr2(CH3)2(C5H5)4(C8H18O2Si)] or [Cp2Zr(CH3)]2[μ-t-Bu2SiO2] (1), where one methyl group is retained per zirconium atom. The same product is obtained at room temperature even when equimolar ratios of the silanediol and Cp2Zr(CH3)2 are used. Attempts to thermally eliminate methane and produce a bridging methyl­ene complex resulted in decomposition. The crystal structure of 1 displays typical Zr—CH3 and Zr—O distances but the Si—O distance [1.628 (2) Å] and O—Si—O angle [110.86 (15)°] are among the largest observed in this family of compounds suggesting steric crowding between the t-Bu substituents of the silicon atom and the cyclo­penta­dienyl groups. The silicon atom lies on a crystallographic twofold axis and both Cp rings are disordered over two orientations of equal occupancy.

In the context of increasing hardware and software automation in the process of crystal structure determination by X-ray diffraction, and based on conference sessions presenting some of the experience of senior crystallographers for the benefit of younger colleagues, an outline is given here of some basic concepts and applications of symmetry in crystallography. Three specific examples of structure determinations are discussed, for which an understanding of these aspects of symmetry avoids mistakes that can readily be made by reliance on automatic procedures. Topics addressed include pseudo-symmetry, twinning, real and apparent disorder, chirality, and structure validation.

The mononuclear title complex, [Eu(C24H34O4P)3(CH4O)5]·CH4O, (1), has been obtained as a minor product in the reaction between EuCl3(H2O)6 and lithium bis­(2,6-diiso­propyl­phen­yl) phosphate in a 1:3 molar ratio in a methanol medium. Its structure exhibits monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry at 120 K and is isostructural with the La, Ce and Nd analogs reported previously [Minyaev et al. (2018a). Acta Cryst. C74, 590–598]. In (1), all three bis­(2,6-diiso­propyl­phen­yl) phosphate ligands display the terminal κ1O-coordination mode. All of the hy­droxy H atoms are involved in O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, exhibiting four intra­molecular and two inter­molecular hydrogen bonds. Photophysical studies have demonstrated luminescence of (1) with a low quantum yield.

The title compound, C15H22N4O5S, was prepared via alkyl­ation of 3-(chloro­meth­yl)-5-(pentan-3-yl)-1,2,4-oxa­diazole in anhydrous dioxane in the presence of tri­ethyl­amine. The thia­diazine ring has an envelope conformation with the S atom displaced by 0.4883 (6) Å from the mean plane through the other five atoms. The planar 1,2,4-oxa­diazole ring is inclined to the mean plane of the thia­diazine ring by 77.45 (11)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along the b-axis direction. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots have been used to analyse the inter­molecular contacts present in the crystal. Mol­ecular docking studies were use to evaluate the title compound as a potential system that inter­acts effectively with the capsid of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), supported by an experimental in vitro HBV replication model.

Authors of a paper that includes a new crystal-structure determination are expected to not only report the structural results of inter­est and their inter­pretation, but are also expected to archive in computer-readable CIF format the experimental data on which the crystal-structure analysis is based. Additionally, an IUCr/checkCIF validation report will be required for the review of a submitted paper. Such a validation report, automatically created from the deposited CIF file, lists as ALERTS not only potential errors or unusual findings, but also suggestions for improvement along with inter­esting information on the structure at hand. Major ALERTS for issues are expected to have been acted on already before the submission for publication or discussed in the associated paper and/or commented on in the CIF file. In addition, referees, readers and users of the data should be able to make their own judgment and inter­pretation of the underlying experimental data or perform their own calculations with the archived data. All the above is consistent with the FAIR (findable, accessible, inter­operable, and reusable) initiative [Helliwell (2019). Struct. Dyn. 6, 05430]. Validation can also be helpful for less experienced authors in pointing to and avoiding of crystal-structure determination and inter­pretation pitfalls. The IUCr web-based checkCIF server provides such a validation report, based on data uploaded in CIF format. Alternatively, a locally installable checkCIF version is available to be used iteratively during the structure-determination process. ALERTS come mostly as short single-line messages. There is also a short explanation of the ALERTS available through the IUCr web server or with the locally installed PLATON/checkCIF version. This paper provides additional background information on the checkCIF procedure and additional details for a number of ALERTS along with options for how to act on them.

The polymeric title compound, [Cu2(C2H3N)2(C3H6S2)2](PF6)2, represents an example of a one-dimensional coordination polymer resulting from the reaction of [Cu(MeCN)4][PF6] with 1,3-di­thiol­ane. The cationic one-dimensional ribbon consists of two copper(I) centers each ligated by one aceto­nitrile mol­ecule and inter­connected through two bridging 1,3-di­thiol­ane ligands. One S-donor site of each ligand is κ1-bound to Cu, whereas the second S atom acts as a four-electron donor, bridging two Cu atoms in a κ4-bonding mode. The positive charge of each copper cation is compensated for by a hexa­fluorido­phosphate counter-ion. In the crystal, the polymer chains are linked by a series of C—H⋯F hydrogen bonds, forming a supra­molecular framework. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component twin.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[Mn2Sb2S5(C15H11N3)2]·4H2O}n, consists of two crystallographically independent MnII ions, two unique terpyridine ligands, one [Sb2S5]4− anion and four solvent water mol­ecules, all of which are located in general positions. The [Sb2S5]4− anion consists of two SbS3 units that share common corners. Each of the MnII ions is fivefold coordinated by two symmetry-related S atoms of [Sb2S5]4− anions and three N atoms of a terpyridine ligand within an irregular coordination. Each two anions are linked by two [Mn(terpyridine)]2+ cations into chains along the c-axis direction that consist of eight-membered Mn2Sb2S4 rings. These chains are further connected into a three-dimensional network by inter­molecular O—H⋯O and O—H⋯S hydrogen bonds. The crystal investigated was twinned and therefore, a twin refinement using data in HKLF-5 [Sheldrick (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 3–8] format was performed.

The title homoleptic Schiff base complexes, [M(C14H9Cl2N2O)2], for M = CoII, (I), and CuII, (II), present distinct coordination geometries despite the Schiff base dianion coordinating via the phenolato-O and imine-N atoms in each case. For (I), the coordination geometry is based on a trigonal bipyramid whereas for (II), a square-planar geometry is found (Cu site symmetry overline{1}). In the crystal of (I), discernible supra­molecular layers in the ac plane are sustained by chloro­benzene-C—H⋯O(coordinated), chloro­benzene-C—H⋯π(fused-benzene ring) as well as π(fused-benzene, chloro­benzene)–π(chloro­benzene) inter­actions [inter-centroid separations = 3.6460 (17) and 3.6580 (16) Å, respectively]. The layers inter-digitate along the b-axis direction and are linked by di­chloro­benzene-C—H⋯π(fused-benzene ring) and π–π inter­actions between fused-benzene rings and between chloro­benzene rings [inter-centroid separations = 3.6916 (16) and 3.7968 (19) Å, respectively] . Flat, supra­molecular layers are also found in the crystal of (II), being stabilized by π–π inter­actions formed between fused-benzene rings and between chloro­benzene rings [inter-centroid separations = 3.8889 (15) and 3.8889 (15) Å, respectively]; these stack parallel to [10overline{1}] without directional inter­actions between them. The analysis of the respective calculated Hirshfeld surfaces indicate diminished roles for H⋯H contacts [26.2% (I) and 30.5% (II)] owing to significant contributions by Cl⋯H/H⋯Cl contacts [25.8% (I) and 24.9% (II)]. Minor contributions by Cl⋯Cl [2.2%] and Cu⋯Cl [1.9%] contacts are indicated in the crystals of (I) and (II), respectively. The inter­action energies largely arise from dispersion terms; the aforementioned Cu⋯Cl contact in (II) gives rise to the most stabilizing inter­action in the crystal of (II).

The title compound, [Na(μ-C6F5BH3)(C4H8O)2]2, represents a dimeric structure of sodium and organoborohydride, located about a centre of inversion. The Na⋯B distances of 2.7845 (19) and 2.7494 (18) Å were apparently longer than the Li⋯B distances (2.403–2.537 Å) of the lithium organotri­hydro­borates in the previous reports. Moreover, an inter­action between the sodium atom and one fluorine atom on the 2-position of the benzene ring is observed [Na—F = 2.6373 (12) Å]. In the crystal, the dimeric mol­ecules are stacked along the b-axis via a π–π inter­action between the benzene rings.