Anion-directed self-assembly of metallosupramolecular coordination polymers of the radialene ligand hexa(2-pyridyl)[3]radialene

Hexa(2-pyridyl)[3]radialene was prepared by reaction of di-2-pyridylmethane with tetrachlorocyclopropene. Reaction of this ligand with silver nitrate and silver hexafluorophosphate gave two different one-dimensional coordination polymers each with a 2:1 metal–ligand composition. X-ray crystal structures revealed that the structure and topology of the coordination polymer is strongly influenced by the anion. In the reaction with silver nitrate the ligand self-assembled to give a helical one-dimensional coordination polymer, but when silver hexafluorophosphate was used, a coordination polymer, composed of Ag3L2 prismate cages linked by linear-bridging silver atoms, was obtained.