catena-Poly[[(3-methylpyridine)copper(I)]-μ-cyanido-copper(I)-μ-cyanido]

In the title complex, [Cu-2(CN)(2)(C6H7N)](n), there are two copper atoms with different coordination environments. One Cu atom (Cu1) is linked to the two cyanide ligands, one N atom from a pyridine ring while the other (Cu2) is coordinated by the two cyanide ligands in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry and linked to Cu1, forming a triangular coordination environment. The Cu atoms are bridged by bidentate cyanide ligands, forming an infinite Cu-CN chain. One cyanide ligand is equally disordered over two sets of sites, exchanging C and N atoms coordinated to both metal atoms. However, one cyanide group is not disordered and it coordinates to Cu1 via the N atom whereas its C-atom counterpart coordinates Cu2. The 3-methylpyridine (3MP) ligand coordinates through the N atom to Cu1 as a terminal ligand, which originates from decyanation of 3-pyridylacetonitrile under hydrothermal conditions. Adjacent Cu-CN chains are interconnected through Cu center dot center dot center dot Cu interactions [2.8364 (10) angstrom], forming a three-dimensional framework.