Crystal structure of Zn(trz)Cl (trz = 11,2,4,-triazolato); a layered compound with triply bridging triazolato groups

ZnCl2 reacts with 1,2,4-1H-triazole to afford Zn(trz)Cl. A spontaneous deprotonation of Htrz occurs. The crystal structure of Zn(trz)Cl has been solved. The compound crystallizes in the space group P21/n. The lattice parameters are a = 8.863(4), b = 9.762(4), c = 6.146(3) Å, β = 99.56(10)°, with Z = 4. The 1,2,4-triazolato bridges three zinc atoms through its three nitrogen atoms, affording a layered structure. The zinc atom is in an N3Cl tetrahedral coordination. The layers are not planar, but rather corrugated. The chlorine atoms point to either side of the layers, and play the role of spacers. The shortest interlayer Zn⋯Zn separation is 5.701 Å.