Copper(I) dicyanamide coordination polymers: ladders, sheets, layers, diamond-like networks and unusual interpenetration †

The structures of six new derivatives of copper(I) dicyanamide (dicyanamide = N(CN)2−, dca) have been determined. Those of Cu(dca)(MeCN) 1 and Cu(dca)(Me4pyz)1/22, Me4pyz = tetramethylpyrazine, both contain (6,3) sheets. Cu2(dca)2(bipy)(MeCN)2·0.5bipy 3, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, consists of 1-D ladder-like polymers with intercalated bipy guests. Cu4(dca)4(bipy)3(MeCN)24 is composed of 2-D layers which each interpenetrate with four others in a parallel fashion, resulting in a novel 3-D interlocking of layers. α-Cu(dca)(bpe) 5, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, consists of 2-D (4,4) sheets displaying twofold parallel interpenetration, while β-Cu(dca)(bpe) 6 contains five diamond-like networks which interpenetrate in an unprecedented fashion.