Self-assembly of one-dimensional coordination polymers from M(II) salts (M=Co, Cd) and flexible ligand 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane

Reaction of Co(NO3)2 or Cd(NO3)2 with 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (or bpp) in a mixture of benzene and methanol generates one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymers [Co(bpp)2(NO3)2]·2C6H6 (1) and [Cd(bpp)2(NO3)2]·2C6H6 (2). The isostructural 1 and 2 crystallize in monoclinic space group . The polymeric framework in 1 or 2 is neutral in which the metal ions have an octahedral geometry and are bridged by two bpp ligands. The six-coordination of Co(II) or Cd(II) is satisfied by its binding two nitrate ions in addition to the four pyridyl nitrogen atoms from four different bpp ligands.