catena-Poly[hemi{bis[4′-(3-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2"-terpyridine-κ3N1,N1′,N1"]copper(II)} [cuprate(I)-di-μ2-thiocyanato-κ2N:S;κ2S:N]]

The title compound, {[Cu(C20H14N4)(2)][Cu-2(NCS)(4)]}(n), was obtained by reacting copper acetate hydrate, ammonium thiocyanate and 4'-(3-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine (3-pytpy) under solvothermal conditions. The polymeric complex is isostructural with the 4'-phenyl-2,2': 6',2 ''-terpyridine (phtpy) analogue. All intramolecular distances and angles are very similar for the two structures. Substitution of a phenyl group with a pyridyl group has no significant effect on the crystal packing which is accomplished by C-H center dot center dot center dot N and C-H center dot center dot center dot S hydrogen-bonding interactions.