Iron(II) thio- and selenocyanate coordination networks containing 3,3′-bipyridine

A number of different compounds have been synthesised by reaction of solutions containing Fe(NCE)2 (E = S, Se) with solutions containing 3,3′-bipyridine. When the solvent used is methanol, the products are the monomeric compounds trans-{Fe(NCS)2(3,3′-bipy)2(MeOH)2} 1 or trans-{Fe(NCSe)2(3,3′-bipy)2(MeOH)2} 2, but when acetonitrile is used the layered coordination network {Fe(NCS)2(3,3′-bipy)2} 3 or doubly interpenetrated coordination network {Fe(NCSe)2(3,3′-bipy)2} 4 is formed instead. Using methanol to dissolve the Fe(NCE)2 and CHX3 (X = Cl, Br) to dissolve the 3,3′-bipyridine yields solvated coordination networks of stoichiometry {Fe(NCE)2(3,3′-bipy)2}·2CHX3. The crystal structures of all of these compounds except 4 are presented.