Direct synthesis and crystal structure of a new pentanuclear heterotrimetallic Cu/Co/Ni complex with 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol. Discussion of possible “butterfly-like” molecular structure types

The pentanuclear heterotrimetallic complex [Cu2CoNi2(Me2Ea)6Cl4] (1) has been prepared in a one-pot reaction of zerovalent copper with cobalt and nickel chlorides in an acetonitrile solution of 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol (HMe2Ea) in open air. The crystal structure displays a rare planar arrangement of the metal atoms. The possible pentanuclear molecular structure types corresponding to the planar and non-planar “butterfly-like” arrangements, as well as their derivatives, are analyzed and their statistical abundance is discussed. The thermogravimetric behaviour of 1 is investigated and compared with literature examples.