Coordination networks of Cu2+ ions with 1,3-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethyl]benzene: Strong structure-directing role of the counter ion (nitrate, acetate and sulphate), leading to clusters, sheets and chains

The crystallisation of different copper(II) salts with the new ligand 1,3-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethyl]-benzene, C20H20N2 (L) are reported. The anion is incorporated into each structure, but it plays a completely different role in each case: a novel 'paddlewheel' cluster with the nitrate ion, infinite sheets with the acetate ion and chains with the sulphate ion.42