4-cyanoimidazolate: a new pseudo-cyanide?

Because of its exobidentate nature, pK(a), and electronic properties, 4-cyanoimidazole has been examined as a ligand and as a pseudo-cyanide. The ligand reacts readily as an anion with both cobalt and nickel ions in solution to form coordination polymers. The magnetic susceptibility and thermal stability of these materials are reported. 4-Cyanoimidazolate forms a hexakis complex with nickel, to form the first observed hexakis imidazolate nickelate complex.