One-dimensional chains formed by first-row transition metal(II) nitrates and pyrimidine - Influence of water coordination on structural reliability

An isostructural family of one-dimensional coordination polymers, [M(NO3)(2)(pym)(H2O)(2)](infinity) [M = Mn (1), Co (2), Ni (3), Zn (4); pym = pyrimidine], has been prepared and their phase purity assessed. It is shown that in contrast to other M(NO3)(2)-Pyrimidine coordination polymers, 1-4 show a surprising preference for the structure reported herein rather the wide variety of other possible product architectures. It is also shown that a related complex [Ni(NO3)(2)(PYM)(MeCN)(2)](infinity) (5), in which water ligands observed in 1-4 are replaced by MeCN molecules, can also be prepared. However, 5 is highly hygroscopic and readily converts to 3 in the presence of atmospheric water. The implication of the uniformity of structure is discussed in relation to the serendipitous coordination of water molecules to the metal centres. (c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005.