Structural characterization of a new cobalt(II) complex of 1-benzyl-5-methyl-1H-imidazole

The preparation of a cobalt(II) chloride complex with a N-donor ligand 1-benzyl-5-methyl-1H-imidazole of formula [CoCl2(1-benzyl-5-methyl-1H-imidazole)2] is described. The isolated complex was characterized by UV, IR spectroscopy and crystallographic studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the complex reveals its monomeric tetra-coordinated nature. The coordination polyhedron around the cobalt center can be described as a quasi-regular tetrahedron. The Co–N distances for this compound are 2.0111(17) A and 2.0118(17) A, while the Co–Cl distances are 2.2582(7) A and 2.2549(7) A. The crystal packing can be described as layers parallel to (101) plane alternating along the b axis, and it is stabilized by π–π stacking between the imidazole and phenyl rings. The shortest centroid–centroid distance is 3.6002(14) A.