The X-ray crystal structure determination of
bis[-(phenylcyanamido)bis(triphenylphosphine)copper(I)],
[{Cu(PPh3)2(C6H5NCN)}2],
(1) is reported. The complex has a centrosymmetric dimeric structure with the
phenylcyanamide ligands bridging the copper atoms in a -1,3-fashion. The
structure is compared with that of the 4-methylphenylcyanamido complex,
[{Cu(PPh3)2(4-MeC6H4NCN)}2]
(2), and the differences observed in the Cu–P bond lengths compared with
changes in the solid state 31P cross-polarization
magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) spectra of the two complexes.