Bis{bis(azido-κN)bis[bis(pyridin-2-yl-κN)amine]-cobalt(III)} sulfate dihydrate

The search for new molecular materials with interesting magnetic properties, using the pseudohalide azide ion and di-2-pyridylamine (dpa, C10H9N3) as a chelating ligand, led to the synthesis and structure determination of the title compound, [Co(N-3)(2)(dpa)(2)](2)SO4 center dot 2H(2)O. The crystal structure comprises discrete [Co(dpa)(2)(N-3)(2)](+) cations, sulfate anions, as well as H2O solvent molecules. The Co-III cations display a slightly distorted octahedral coordination sphere defined by two N atoms from azide anions and four N atoms from the pyridyl rings of two dpa ligands. In the crystal, extensive C-H center dot center dot center dot O, N-H center dot center dot center dot O, and O-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions result in supramolecular sheets that lie parallel to the ab plane. The sheets are further linked through O-H center dot center dot center dot N interactions between the water molecules of one sheet and azide anions of another sheet, forming a supramolecular framework.