[Cu(2-Me-imidH)(4)Cl]Cl: a conflict between high symmetry and packing efficiency

The crystal and molecular structure of the monomeric title compound, chlorotetrakis(2-methylimidazole)copper(II) chloride, [CuCl(C4H6N2)(4)]Cl, is presented, and compared with those of two other closely related monomeric structures. The monomers are similar, but the supramolecular structures are very different. The influence that steric effects might have in determining crystal properties, such as space group symmetry or packing efficiency, is analysed