Metal-metal interactions in thallium(I)/platinum(II) compounds involving a chelating dicarbene and various auxiliary ligands.

Reaction of Tl(I)NO(3) and (C(4)H(10)N(4))Pt(II)(mnt) or (C(4)H(10)N(4))Pt(II)(dmg-H) [mnt = maleonitriledithiolate, dmg-H = dimethylglyoximate dianion] in dilute, aqueous KOH yielded adducts of Tl(I) and the conjugate bases of the platinum(II) compounds. The compound Tl(I)[(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(dmg-H)].5H(2)O forms as dimers with close Tl(I)...Pt(II) separations of 3.0843(5) A, while Tl(I)[(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(mnt)] has much longer Tl(I)...Pt(II) separations of 3.4400(2) A and forms loosely associated, helical coordination polymers. The new compounds are compared with the red and yellow polymorphs of Tl(I)[(C(4)H(9)N(4))Pt(II)(CN)(2)], and the influences of crystal packing forces, Coulombic interactions, and hydrogen bonding on supramolecular structures and Tl(I)...Pt(II) separations are discussed.