Supramolecular architectures in metal(II) (Cd/Zn) halide/nitrate complexes of cytosine/5-fluorocytosine

Three new metal(II)-cytosine (Cy)/5-fluorocytosine (5FC) complexes, namely bis(4-amino-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-κN³)diiodidocadmium(II) or bis(cytosine)diiodidocadmium(II), [CdI₂(C₄H₅N₃O)₂], (I), bis(4-amino-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-κN³)bis(nitrato-κ²O,O')cadmium(II) or bis(cytosine)bis(nitrato)cadmium(II), [Cd(NO₃)₂(C₄H₅N₃O)₂], (II), and (6-amino-5-fluoro-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-κN³)aquadibromidozinc(II)-6-amino-5-fluoro-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one (1/1) or (6-amino-5-fluorocytosine)aquadibromidozinc(II)-4-amino-5-fluorocytosine (1/1), [ZnBr₂(C₄H₅FN₃O)(H₂O)]·C₄H₅FN₃O, (III), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In complex (I), the Cd^II ion is coordinated to two iodide ions and the endocyclic N atoms of the two cytosine molecules, leading to a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The structure is isotypic with [CdBr₂(C₄H₅N₃O)₂] [Muthiah et al. (2001). Acta Cryst. E57, m558-m560]. In compound (II), each of the two cytosine molecules coordinates to the Cd^II ion in a bidentate chelating mode via the endocyclic N atom and the O atom. Each of the two nitrate ions also coordinates in a bidentate chelating mode, forming a bicapped distorted octahedral geometry around cadmium. The typical interligand N-H...O hydrogen bond involving two cytosine molecules is also present. In compound (III), one zinc-coordinated 5FC ligand is cocrystallized with another uncoordinated 5FC molecule. The Zn^II atom coordinates to the N(1) atom (systematic numbering) of 5FC, displacing the proton to the N(3) position. This N(3)-H tautomer of 5FC mimics N(3)-protonated cytosine in forming a base pair (via three hydrogen bonds) with 5FC in the lattice, generating two fused R₂²(8) motifs. The distorted tetrahedral geometry around zinc is completed by two bromide ions and a water molecule. The coordinated and nonccordinated 5FCs are stacked over one another along the a-axis direction, forming the rungs of a ladder motif, whereas Zn-Br bonds and N-H...Br hydrogen bonds form the rails of the ladder. The coordinated water molecules bridge the two types of 5FC molecules via O-H...O hydrogen bonds. The cytosine molecules are coordinated directly to the metal ion in each of the complexes and are hydrogen bonded to the bromide, iodide or nitrate ions. In compound (III), the uncoordinated 5FC molecule pairs with the coordinated 5FC ligand through three hydrogen bonds. The crystal structures are further stabilized by N-H...O, N-H...N, O-H...O, N-H...I and N-H...Br hydrogen bonds, and stacking interactions.