A two-dimensional network constructed via 72-membered heart-shaped macrocycles, a copper(II) complex with 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene and diethylenetriamine ligands

A new flexible aryl-heterocyclic tripodal ligand, 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (titb) was prepared. It reacts with [Cu(dien)(im)](ClO4)(2) to form a novel two-dimensional network complex, [{Cu-3(dien)(3)(titb)(2)}(ClO4)(6)(CH3CN)(0.5)(H2O)(0.25)](n), where dien = diethylenetriamine. The complex crystallizes in triclinic, space group P (1) over bar with a = 13.630(3), b = 15.837(2), c = 21.105(3) Angstrom, alpha = 70.860(10), beta = 86.700(10), gamma = 64.900(10)degrees, V = 3879.7(11) Angstrom(3) and Z = 2. There are two kinds of conformation of the titb ligand in the titled complex, one is cis, trans, trans, the other is cis, cis, cis. The [Cu(dien)](2+) units bind with the titb ligands to form condensed 72-membered (Cu6C42N24) heart-shaped macrocycles and result in a two-dimensional network. The sheets stack in a center-symmetric mode between every two adjacent sheets and generate channels which contain the perchlorate anions, acetonitrile solvent and water molecules. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.