Two complexes isolated from solutions under solvothermal conditions: [CuCl2(C5H14N2)2]·4 H2O with the copper complex enwrapped in a unique self-assembled water layer of fused H2O decamers and [Co(CO3)(C5H14N2)2]Cl·H2O with the cobalt complex fixed in an e

The new coordination compounds [CuCl2(C5H14N2)2]·4 H2O (1) and [Co(CO3)(C5H14N2)2]Cl·H2O (2) (C5H14N2 = 2,2-dimethylpropyldiamine) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 6.2175(4), b = 27.4152(17), c = 11.7975(8) Å, β = 97.702(8)°, V = 1992.8(2) Å3, Z = 4 and 2 in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 11.5913(8), b = 22.4797(12), c = 7.3655(5) Å, β = 96.760(8)°, V = 1905.9(2) Å3, Z = 4. In 1 the Cu2+ cation is octahedrally coordinated by two bidentate 2,2-dimethylpropyldiamine molecules in the basal plane and two Cl− anions located at the apices. The Cu–Cl bond lengths are very unsymmetrical which is caused by the significantly different hydrogen bonding interactions of the two Cl− anions. The H2O molecules are joined by strong H⋯O interactions generating a (H2O)10 decamer which are fused to form a wavy water layer. The layer displays a new and hitherto never observed H2O layer motif which may be described as L10(6). In 2 the Co2+ cation is surrounded by two bidentate amine molecules and a bidentate CO32− anion which was formed in situ by CO2 uptake from the atmosphere. N–H, O and Cl are involved in an extended hydrogen bonding networks leading to the formation of layers which are arranged generating channels along [0 0 1] which are occupied by water molecules. Thermal investigations of both compounds exhibit complex decomposition patterns and successive emission of the constituents. The optical band gaps of 3.79 for 1 and 3.48 eV for 2 confirm that both compounds are isolators.