Three-dimensional mesomeric networks assembled from helix-linked sheets: syntheses, structures, and magnetisms.

Two new three-dimensional nickel coordination polymers, [Ni3(BTC)2(4,4'-bpy)2(H2O)5].1.5H2O (1) and [Ni(PDB)(4,4'-bpy)].0.5H2O (2)(4,4'-bpy = bipyridine, BTC = 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate, PDB = pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylate), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TGA, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds contain 2D scaffolding motifs, and most interestingly adjacent scaffolds are connected by infinite helical chains into unique three-dimensional mesomeric networks. Moreover, temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities for the two compounds were studied, and ferromagnetic interactions through syn-anti carboxylate bridges between Ni sites have been observed.