A structural study of dithizone coordination chemistryElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 1486774-1486779. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c7ce00580f

Dithizone, since its discovery in 1878, has become essential in colorimetric assays for numerous transition metal ions. However, despite it being a vital reagent its coordination chemistry is not fully understood. Here we give insight into the binary complexes of dithizone, which contain two different metal ions, and the secondary complexes with Cu( ii ) which can either involve reduction of the metal ion or double deprotonation of dithizone giving the self-assembled [(H-DPTC) 8 Cu 8 ] and [(DPTC) 4 Cu 4 ] species respectively. The coordination chemistry of the important colorimetric analyte dithizone is described, with structural studies on the heterotetrametallic, tri-, tetra- and octanuclear assembles.