Supramolecular Architectures of Pt(II) Complexes Controlled by Hydrogen Bonds and by Guest Molecules

The synthesis, the characterization, and the X-ray structures of cis- and trans-Pt­(II) complexes with α-(4-pyridyl)­benzhydrol are reported. The crystal organization of several solvates is presented and compared with particular regard to the role of the hydrogen bond in the formation of the supramolecular architecture and how this is regulated by the presence of guest solvent molecules. It is shown that these networks are flexible as a response to the insertion of small molecules. trans-Complexes reproduce the “venetian blinds” pattern observed for the palladium analogs [Bacchi, A.; Bosetti, E.; Carcelli, M.; Pelagatti, P.; Rogolino, D.; Pelizzi, G. Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44, 431 and Bacchi, A.; Bosetti, E.; Carcelli, M. CrystEngComm 2005, 7, 527], while cis-complexes persistently give supramolecular rectangles assisted by the concomitant presence of OH···OH hydrogen bonds and edge-to-face interactions between aromatic rings inside the rectangles. These rectangles are packed by taking advantage of OH···Cl interactions unless the guests provide other means of satisfying the hydrogen bond donor/acceptor balance.