Supramolecular and coordination polymer complexes supported by a tripodal tripyridine ligand containing a 1,3,5-triethylbenzene spacer.

By By combining a tripodal tripyridine ligand containing a 1,3,5-triethylbenzene spacer (L) with several divalent transition-metal chlorides, we have selectively prepared a capsule-type supramolecular complex, [PdII3(L)2Cl6] x 2H2O, and one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer complexes, ([CuII(L)Cl2] x C2H5OH)n, ([CoII3(L)2Cl6] x 2CH2Cl2)n, and ([ZnII3(L)2Cl6] x 2H2O)n, with a zigzag polymer chain, a linear polymer chain, and a ladder polymer chain structure, respectively. All the structures were established in detail by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and the factors inducing the structural differences among the complexes are discussed by taking account of the differences in coordination geometry (square planar vs tetrahedral) as well as metal-ligand binding strength in the complexes.