Two isomorphous complexes: dichloro[phthalocyaninato(2-)]tin(IV) and dichloro[phthalocyaninato(2-)]germanium(IV).

Isomorphous triclinic forms of dichloro[phthalocyaninato(2-)]tin(IV), [Sn(C(32)H(16)N(8))Cl(2)], and dichloro[phthalocyaninato(2-)]germanium(IV), [Sn(C(32)H(16)N(8))Cl(2)], and a monoclinic form of the latter have been obtained from the reaction of pure tin and germanium powder, respectively, with phthalonitrile under a stream of ICl vapour. All three crystal structures consist of centrosymmetric [SnPcCl(2)] and [GePcCl(2)] [Pc is phthalocyaninate(2-)] molecules, which are separated but interacting. In the triclinic forms (Sn and Ge), the Pc macrocycles are not staggered but slipped, and in the monoclinic form (Ge), the molecules are additionally inclined. In both cases, the central Sn or Ge atom is six-coordinated by the four isoindole N atoms of the Pc macrocyclic ligand and by two Cl atoms (located trans) into a tetragonal-bipyramidal structure. The arrangement of [SnPcCl(2)] and [GePcCl(2)] molecules in the crystal structure is determined mainly by intermolecular C-H.Cl, pi-pi and van der Waals interactions.