Three ion-pair complexes, [4-NH(2)-Py](2)[M(mnt)(2)] (4-NH(2)-Py(1+)=4-amino-pyridinium; mnt(2-)=maleonitriledithiolate; M=Pt (1), Pd (2) or Ni (3)), have been synthesized and characterized. In the crystal of 1, the strong H-bonding interaction was found from the protonated N-atom of pyridinium to the CN group of [Pt(mnt)(2)](2-) together with a weak Pt...H interaction between the anion and the cation. The crystals of 2 and 3 are isostructural with very similar lattice parameters and packing structures, which are distinct from the crystal of 1. Two kinds of strong H-bonding interactions are observed in the crystals of 2 and 3 between the CN groups of [M(mnt)(2)](2-) anion and the protonated N-atom of 4-NH(2)-Py(1+) cation as well as the CN groups of [M(mnt)(2)](2-) anion and the amino group of 4-NH(2)-Py(1+) cation. Complex 1 shows an intense near-IR absorbance in acetonitrile and solid state, such an absorption band is probably assigned to IPCT transition as well as a trace amount of [Pt(mnt)(2)](1-) species; complex 3 possesses a weak near-IR absorption band which can be attributed to the mixture of d-d transition in [Ni(mnt)(2)](2-) and IPCT transition as well as a trace amount of [Ni(mnt)(2)](1-) species.
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