Di-mu-iodido-bis{[(R)-(+)-2,2 '-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1 '-binaphthyl-kappa P-2,P ']copper(I)} 0.67-hydrate

The structure of the title compound, [Cu2I2(C44H32P2)(2)]center dot 0.67H(2)O, has been determined because of its interesting catalytic and optical features. The molecule, which has non-crystallographic C2-symmetry, consists of a core structure of two Cu-I ions, bridged by two iodide ions. Each CuI ion is also coordinated by one equivalent of the chiral bidentate (R)-BINAP ligand [ BINAP = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1'-binaphthyl]. Thus, both cations show a distorted tetrahedral geometry being surrounded by two I atoms and two P atoms from the (R)-BINAP ligands. The complex consists of isolated butterfly-shaped molecules featuring an angle of 146.11 (2)degrees between adjacent CuI2 planes. The structure displays intramolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot I hydrogen bonding and contains disordered water. The absolute configuration of this chiral complex was determined by anomalous dispersion effects.