Crystal structure, synthesis and thermal properties of tetra­kis­(4-benzoyl­pyridine-κN)bis­(iso­thio­cyanato-κN)iron(II)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Fe(NCS)(2)(C(12)H(9)NO)(4)], consists of an Fe(II) ion that is located on a centre of inversion, as well as two 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands and one thio­cyanate anion in general positions. The Fe(II) ions are coordinated by two N-terminal-bonded thio­cyanate anions and four 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands into discrete complexes with a slightly distorted octa­hedral geometry. These complexes are further linked by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains running along the c-axis direction. Upon heating, this complex loses half of the 4-benzoyl­pyridine ligands and transforms into a compound with the composition Fe(NCS)(2)(4-benzoyl­pyridine)(2), that might be isotypic to the corresponding Mn(II) compound and for which the structure is unknown.