Structural diversity of building-blocks in coordination framework synthesis -: combining M(NO3)2 junctions and bipyridyl ligands

The construction of coordination framework polymers using transition metal complexes of bridging bidentate ligands is a high profile area of chemistry that has received considerable attention over recent years. This article will review the complexity of the area of coordination frameworks which aims to use M(NO3)(2) (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) building-blocks as junctions in combination with bipyridyl-based ligands. The variety of network topologies and structural motifs that have been constructed thus far will be outlined illustrating the range of coordination environments that are adopted by the M(NO3)(2) nodes and the influence that this has on the coordination framework topology. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.