An organic-inorganic hybrid compound containing imidazolium cations and a one-dimensional lithium hexacyanidocobaltate-based anionic framework

An organic-inorganic hybrid compound, catena-poly[bis(3H-imidazol-1-ium) [[tetracyanido-kappa C-4-cobalt(III)]-mu-cyanido-kappa C-2:N-[diaqualithium(I)]-mu-cyanido-kappa N-2:C]], {(C3H5N2)(2)[Co-Li(CN)(6)(H2O)(2)]} n, was synthesized by the reaction of Li-3[Co(CN)(6)] with imidazolium chloride in aqueous solution. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (data collected at 273 K). In the crystal structure, neighbouring [Co(CN)(6)](3)-anionic units are linked by Li+ cations through the cyanide groups in a trans mode, forming a onedimensional zigzag chain structure extending along the c axis. A three-dimensional supramolecular network is formed through hydrogen-bonding interactions and is further stabilized by weak CN center dot center dot center dot pi interactions between the cyanide groups and the imidazolium cations.