Supramolecular motifs in four pseudo-polymorphic crystals of [Fe(phen)3](I3)2·(solvent): solvent = acetone, CH2Cl2, CH3CN, toluene or H2O

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
[Fe(phen)3](I3)2·(solvent) has been crystallised in four different crystal lattices, 1–4, specifically 1-CH2Cl2, 1-acetone, 2-CH3CN, 3-toluene, 4-H2O. Three different types of layers of embracing [Fe(phen)3]2+ complexes occur in 1, 2 and 3, with different placements of I3 − ions on the surfaces of the layers. A filled box motif, {[Fe(phen)3]2+(CH3CN)2[Fe(phen)3]2+}, occurs in 2-CH3CN. In 4 there are chains of embracing [Fe(phen)3]2+ complexes surrounded by I3 –. Multiple IH–C(aryl-edge) and Iaryl-face interactions occur. These are hydrophobic molecular crystals, demonstrating crystal packing isomerism (polymorphism). The solvents appear to be functioning as space-fillers, and logical connections between crystallisation conditions and crystal compositions and motifs are elusive. The different polymorphic crystal structure occurring in [Mn(phen)3](I3)2 is described: this high symmetry solvent-free crystal does not contain the extended sequences of embracing [Fe(phen)3]2+ complexes characteristic of 1–4.