Sodium maleonitriledithiolate

Sodium maleonitriledithiolate is the chemical compound described by the formula Na₂S₂C₂(CN)₂. The name refers to the cis compound, formally derived from maleonitrile. The dianion is a "dithiolene", i.e. a chelating alkene-1,2-dithiolate that serves as a non-innocent ligand for transition metals. Several complexes are known, such as [Ni(mnt)₂]^2-.

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The salt is synthesized by treating carbon disulfide with sodium cyanide to give the cyanodithioformate salt, which eliminates elemental sulfur in aqueous solution:^[1]

2 NaCN + 2 CS₂ → Na₂S₂C₂(CN)₂ + 1/4 S₈

The compound was first described by Bähr and Schleitzer 1958.^[2]

References

1. ^ R. H. Holm, A. Davison "Metal Complexes Derived from cis-1,2-Dicyano-1,2-Ethylenedithiolate and Bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-Dithiete" Inorganic Syntheses 1967, volume X, pp.8-26.
2. ^ G. Bähr and G. Schleitzer (1957). "Beiträge zur Chemie des Schwefelkohlenstoffs und Selenkohlenstoffs, II. Die Kondensierende Spontan-Entschwefelung von Salzen und Estern der Cyan-Dithioameisensäure. Freie Cyan-Dithioameisensäure". Chemische Berichte 90: 438-443. doi:10.1002/cber.19570900322.