Synthesis and structure of the cadmium(II) complex [Cd2(Ph(NH2)2)5(DMFA)4](B10H10)2

A new binuclear cadmium(II) complex with neutral ligands, 1,2-diaminobenzene (DMB) and dimethylformamide (DMF), [Cd-2(Ph(NH2)(2))(5)(DMFA)(4)](B10H10)(2), was synthesized and studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 26.198(3) angstrom, b = 12.742(3) angstrom, c = 21.658(3) angstrom, beta = 119.985(10)angstrom, Z = 8, space group C2/c. The distorted octahedral environment of Cd is formed by four nitrogen atoms of three DAB molecules and two oxygen atoms of DMF molecules. Three independent DAB molecules perform different functions: one chelates the Cd atom, another is linked to cadmium as a monodentate ligand, and the third one bridges two Cd atoms, thus forming the dimer. The amino groups of the DAB molecules are involved in the N-H center dot center dot center dot O and N-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds and in N-H center dot center dot center dot B and N-H center dot center dot center dot H-B specific interactions with the cluster boron anion.