A stepwise approach to the formation of heterometallic discrete complexes and infinite architectures

A strategy for the controlled construction of heterobimetallic discrete complexes and 1-D coordination networks is presented. The organic ligand based on the methanedithiolate group and the 4,5-diazafluorene moiety behaving as primary and secondary coordination poles respectively leads to the formation of a series of discrete metal complexes with various geometries via binding through the dithiolate site. The observed coordination geometries range from square-planar for Ni(ii) and Pd(ii) to distorted tetrahedral for Zn(ii) and Hg(ii). The square-planar Pd(ii) complex affords a discrete bimetallic trinuclear complex when treated with a capped Ni(ii) center. All three Ni(ii), Pd(ii) and Hg(ii) discrete complexes have been also shown to behave as metallatectons leading to the generation of infinite networks in the presence of bridging cations such as sodium.