A solid-state spectral effect in eclipsed tetracyanonickelates: X-ray crystal structure, polarized specular reflectance spectroscopy, and ZINDO modeling of Sr[Ni(CN)4].5H2O, Rb2[Ni(CN)4].H2O, and Na2[Ni(CN)4].3H2O.

Crystal structures of three Ni(CN)(4)(2)(-) salts all with eclipsed ligands and varying axial stacking arrangements are presented. The absorption spectra of all three salts show a slight red shift in the x,y-polarizations and a large red shift in their z-polarizations upon crystallization from solution. Semiempirical ZINDO calculations provide a good model of the solid state, even with only a three-molecule segment, allowing reproduction of the red-shifting and intensity increase upon crystallization found experimentally. The modified nickel beta(s,p) bonding parameter of -5 found appropriate for Ni coordination in our previous studies of single Ni(CN)(4)(2-) planes and a helically stacked Cs(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].H(2)O crystal was changed to -3 for the more parallel-stacked Ni(CN)(4)(2-) planes in this case, while beta(d) was retained at -41. Crystal data are as follows: Na(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].3H(2)O, triclinic space group P1, a = 7.2980(10) A, b = 8.8620(10) A, c = 15.132(2) A, alpha = 89.311(5) degrees, beta = 87.326(5) degrees, gamma = 83.772(6) degrees, V = 971.8(2) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 4, R = 0.024, R(w) = 0.064; Sr[Ni(CN)(4)].5H(2)O, monoclinic space group C2/m, a = 10.356(2) A, b = 15.272(3) A, c = 7.1331(10) A, beta = 98.548(12) degrees, V = 1115.6(3) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 4, R = 0.024, R(w) = 0.059; Rb(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].1.05H(2)O, triclinic space group P1, a = 8.6020(10) A, b = 9.6930(10) A, c = 12.006(2) A, alpha = 92.621(6) degrees, beta = 94.263(6) degrees, gamma = 111.795(10) degrees, V = 924.0(2) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 4, R = 0.034, R(w) = 0.067.

One-dimensional collective electronic effects in the helically stacked Cs2[Ni(CN)4].H2O and Cs2[Pt(CN)4].H2O: X-ray structure, polarized specular reflectance, and ZINDO calculations.

The X-ray structure of Cs(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].H(2)O and the polarized single-crystal UV absorbance spectra of Cs(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].H(2)O and Cs(2)[Pt(CN)(4)].H(2)O are presented. The two complexes are isostructural, with helical arrangements of M(CN)(4)(2)(-) ions in which there is moderate metal-metal electronic perturbation resulting in a spectral red shift from solution in the UV absorbance spectra. In addition, we have modeled the nickel system with a ZINDO calculation of a three-molecule segment of the helix and have found remarkably good agreement with experiment, including excellent reproduction of the red shift. Crystal data are as follows: Cs(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].H(2)O, hexagonal, space group P6(1), a = 9.5260(10) A, c = 19.043(2) A, V = 1496.5(3) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 6, 4335 observed data, R = 0.016, R(w) = 0.034.