Hydrogen bonded water–halide {[(H2O)4X2]2 −}n (X = Cl, Br) tapes as organizing units in crystals containing [SnMe2(MePN–H)]22 + cations (MePN = N-methylpyridoxine)

Hydrogen bonded water–halide {[(H2O)4X2]2 −}n tapes have been identified in the complexes [SnMe2(MePN–H)]Cl·2H2O and [SnMe2(MePN–H)]Br·2H2O where MePN is N-methylpyridoxine (PN = pyridoxine, vitamin B6). The tape can be described as planar (H2O)4 units linked by two chloride/bromide anions creating a stair-case like architecture. In the two isostructural crystals dinuclear [SnMe2(MePN–H)]22 + units are hydrogen bonded to the X− anion of the tape via the C(5)single bondCH2OH fragment of the pyridoxine ligand. There is no significant interaction between the cations, which supports the organizing character of the water–halide tape.