Synthesis and crystal structure of poly[ethanol(μ-4-methylpyridine N-oxide)di-μ-thiocyanatocobalt(II)]

Reaction of 4-methylpyridine N-oxide and Co(NCS)(2) in ethanol as solvent accidentally leads to the formation of single crystals of Co(NCS)(2)(4-methylpyridine N-oxide)(ethanol) or [Co(NCS)(2)(C6H7NO)(C2H6O)](n). The asymmetric unit of the title compound consists of one Co-II cation, two crystallographically independent thiocyanate anions, one 4-methylpyridine N-oxide coligand and one ethanol molecule on general positions. The cobalt cations are sixfold coordinated by one terminal and two bridging thiocyanate anions, two bridging 4-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands and one ethanol molecule, with a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The cobalt cations are linked by single mu-1,3(N,S)-bridging thiocyanate anions into corrugated chains, that are further connected into layers by pairs of mu-1,1(O,O)-bridging 4-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands. The layers are parallel to the bc plane and are separated by the methyl groups of the 4-methylpyridine N-oxide coligands. Within the layers, intralayer hydrogen bonding is observed.