Copper–Zinc Oxide Catalysts. III. Structure of [Zn(NH3)3][Cu(CN)2]2

The structure of the new Cu-Zn bimetallic compound, triamminezinc(II) bis[dicyanocuprate(I)] is built up from infinite –Cu-AA-Cu-AA– (where AA represents a disordered CN group) helical chains with 21 symmetry. Terminal cyano groups and –CN-Zn(NH3)3 groups are bonded alternately to the Cu atoms of the chains. Both crystallographically independent CuI atoms are trigonally coordinated by three cyano groups. The ZnII atom is tetrahedrally coordinated by three ammonia molecules and one nitrogen-bonded cyano group. The intra- and interchain CN⋯HN hydrogen bonds contribute to the stabilization of the structure.