An unusual chain cadmium(II) ­coordination polymer: catena-poly[[(2,2′-bipyridyl-κ²N,N′)cadmium(II)]-di-μ-chlorido-[(2,2′-bipyridyl-κ²N,N′)cadmium(II)]-di-μ-thiocyanato-κ²N:S;κ²S:N]

The title complex, [CdCl(NCS)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, represents an unusual Cd^II coordination polymer constructed by two types of anionic bridges and 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy) terminal ligands. These two types of bridges are arranged around inversion centers. The distorted octa­hedral coordination of the Cd^II center is provided by two chloride ions, one N- and one S-donor atom from two thio­cyanate ions, and a pair of N atoms from the chelating bipy ligand. Inter­estingly, adjacent Cd^II ions are inter­connected alternately by paired chloride [Cd...Cd = 3.916 (1) Å] and thio­cyanate bridges [Cd...Cd = 5.936 (1) Å] to generate an infinite one-dimensional coordination chain. Furthermore, weak inter­chain C—H...S inter­actions between the bipy components and thio­cyanate ions lead to the formation of a layered supra­molecular structure.