Poly[µ(2)-chlorido-dichlorido[µ(2)-4'-(4-pyrid-yl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-copper(I)copper(II)].

In the mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) coordination polymer, [Cu(2)Cl(3)(C(20)H(14)N(4))](n), the two Cu atoms are bridged to a pair of Cl atoms across a centre of inversion. The monovalent metal atoms is coordinated by a pyridine N atom as well as by three Cl atoms in a tetra-hedral CuNCl(3) geometry. The divalent metal atom is N,N',N''-chelated by the heterocycle, and it exists in a square-pyramidal CuN(3)Cl(2) geometry; the apical site is occupied by the second bridging Cl atom. The bridging modes of the Cl atoms and the heterocycle give rise to the formation of a layered arrangement parallel to (001).