Self-assembly of a molecular M8L12 cube having S6 symmetry

Reaction of the bis-bidentate ligand L1, having two bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine termini, with Co(II) or Zn(II) results in formation of the complexes [M8(L1)12]X16(X = perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate); [Zn8(L1)12](ClO4)16 has been structurally characterised and is a cube with a metal ion at each corner, a bridging ligand along each edge, and an anion in the central cavity