Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel binuclear copper(I) complex with bridging monohydrogensulfido (−SH) ligands

A novel dinuclear copper(I) complex, [Cu2(μ2-SH)2(PPh3)3] (1) (PPh3 = triphenylphosphine) has been prepared by the reaction of CuCl with triphenylphosphine and mercaptopropanoic acid (MPA) mixed in the ratio of 1:1:1. In the molecular structure of 1, two copper atoms are bridged by S atoms of two monohydrogensulfido anions forming a four-membered ring. The planar Cu2S2 core is characterized by significant cuprophilic interactions (Cu–Cu distance = 2.897 Ǻ). One copper atom in 1 is coordinated with two sulfur atoms and one phosphorus atom of PPh3 adopting a trigonal planar geometry, while the coordination environment around the other copper center is distorted tetrahedral that is completed by two sulfur atoms of SH groups and two phosphorus atoms of PPh3 molecules.