Abstract
The crystal structure of copper sulfate templated by 2-methylpiperazine, (C5H14N2)[Cu(SO4)(2)(H2O)(4)] center dot H2O, Was investigated using single crystal X-ray diffraction data. At room temperature, it crystallises in the monoclinic P2(1)/n space group with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 6.9153(1), b = 23.1295(3), c = 10.4472(1) angstrom, beta = 104.227(1)degrees, V = 1619.75(4) angstrom(3) and Z = 4. The Cu-II cation adopts a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, arising from four water molecules and two Sulfate tetrahedra leading to the formation of [Cu(SO4)(2)(H2O)(4)] units. The structure consists of isolated [Cu(SO4)(2)(H2O)(4)](2-) anions, 2-methylpiperazinediium cations (C5H14N2)(2+) and water molecules connected by a three-dimensional hydrogen-bond network. The thermal decomposition of the precursor, studied by thermogravimetry and temperature-dependent X-ray powder diffraction, proceeds through four stages giving rise to the copper oxide. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.