Low-dimensional compounds containing cyano groups. VII. (Dicyanamido-kappaN1)bis(1,10-phenanthroline-kappa2N,N')copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate.

The title compound, Cu(C(2)N(3))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2), is formed by discrete Cu(phen)(2)(N(CN)(2))) complex cations (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) and uncoordinated CF(3)SO(3)(-) anions. The Cu centre is five-coordinated in the form of a distorted trigonal bipyramid to two phen molecules and one dicyanamide ligand, which is coordinated through one nitrile N atom in the equatorial plane at a distance of 1.990 (2) A. The two axial Cu-N distances are similar (mean 1.993 A) and are substantially shorter than the two equatorial Cu-N bonds (mean 2.125 A).