THE CHEMISTRY OF (ECN)₂ (E = S, Se) AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

Abstract

The psuedohalogens (ECN)₂ (E = S, Se) have been prepared by reaction of AgNCS with bromine and AgNCSe with iodine respectively. (SCN)₂ spontaneously polymerises to give polythiocyanogen a polymer of unknown structure with empirical formula (SCN)_x. A series of late transition metal complexes bearing the ambidentate psuedohalide ligands (ECN) (E = S, Se) have been synthesised. In addition we have prepared a series of late transition metal complexes of the cyanodithioimidocarbonate ion [C₂N₂S₂]²⁻ and the first transition metal complexes of the cyanodiselenocarbonate ion [C₂N₂Se₂]²⁻.

Keywords:

• Ambidentate
• bidentate
• complexes
• crystal structure
• pseudohalogens

We are grateful to the EPSRC for funding and Johnson Mathey PLC for the loan of precious metals.