Crystal structure of tetra-kis-(μ-N-phenyl-acetamidato)-κ(4) N:O;κ(4) O:N-bis-[(2-methyl-benzo-nitrile-κN)rhodium(II)](Rh-Rh).

The complex molecule of the title compound, [Rh2{N(C6H5)COCH3}4(C8H7N)2], exhibits inversion symmetry. The four acetamidate ligands bridging the dirhodium core are arranged in a 2,2-trans manner with two N atoms and two O atoms coordinating to each Rh(II) atom trans to one another. The Neq-Rh-Rh-Oeq torsion angles on the acetamidate bridge vary between -4.07 (5) and -6.78 (7)°. The axial nitrile ligands complete the distorted octa-hedral coordination sphere of each Rh(II) atom and show a nonlinear coordination with Rh-N-C bond angles of 151.6 (3) and 152.5 (3)°. The bond lengths of the two nitrile triple bonds are 1.133 (5) and 1.137 (5) Å.