Bis(l-N,N-diallyldithiocarbamato)bis[(N,N-diallyldithiocarbamato) cadmium]

The title compound, [Cd2(C7H10NS2)4], is a neutral dinuclear cadmium(II) complex bearing four bis N,N-diallyldithiocarbamate ligands coordinating to two Cd^II cations. In each of the monomeric subunits, there are four S atoms of two dithiocarbamate ligands [Cd-S = 2.5558(3), 2.8016(3), 2.6050(3) and 2.5709(3)Å] that coordinate to one Cd^II atom in a bidentate mode. The dimers are located over an inversion centre bridged by two additional bridging Cd-S bonds [2.6021(3)Å], leading to a substantial distortion of the geometry of the monomeric subunit from the expected square-planar geometry. The five-coordinate environment around each of the Cd^II ions in the dimer is best described as substantially tetragonally distorted square pyramidal. The dithiocarbamate groups are themselves planar and are also coplanar with the Cd^II ions. The negative charge on these groups is delocalized by resonance across the S atoms bound to the Cd^II cation. This delocalization of the π electrons in the dithiocarbamate groups also extends to the C-N bonds as they reveal significant double bond character [C-N = 1.3213(16) and 1.3333(15)Å].