Supramolecular isomers in the same crystal: a new type of entanglement involving ribbons of rings and 2D (4,4) networks polycatenated in a 3D architecture.

The reaction of corresponding cadmium salts with the flexible ligand 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (bbtz) affords the 3D coordination network [Cd3(bbtz)6(H2O)6](BF4)(6.1.75H2O (1), containing ribbons of rings and planar 2D (4,4) networks polycatenated with each other, the undulating 2D (4,4) network [Cd(bbtz)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2.2H2O (2), and ribbons of rings [Cd(bbtz)2(H2O)2](BF4)2.3DMF (3) and [Cd(bbtz)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2.3DMF (4).