Thermal Transformation of a Zero-Dimensional Thiocyanate Precursor into a Ferromagnetic Three-Dimensional Coordination Network via a Layered Intermediate

Reaction of Co(NCS)2 with 2,6-dimethylpyrazine (2,6-DMPy) leads to the formation of a compound with the composition Co(NCS)2(2,6-DMPy)4 (Co-0D) that consists of discrete complexes, in which the Co cations are octahedrally coordinated. Upon heating, half of the 2,6-DMPy ligands are removed leading to the two-dimensional coordination polymer [Co(NCS)2(2,6-DMPy)2]n (Co-2D), shown by thermogravimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. On further heating, the intermediate Co-2D loses the next 2,6-DMPy ligand and transforms into [Co(NCS)2(2,6-DMPy)]n (Co-3D). The crystal structures of Co-2D and Co-3D were solved and refined using powder X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structure of Co-2D consists of octahedrally coordinated Co cations that are linked by pairs of anionic ligands into dimers, which are further connected by single thiocyanate anions into layers. In Co-3D, octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated Co cations are present, that are linked by μ-1,3-bridging single thiocyanate anions into a novel three-...