Co(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) compounds with 1,4; 1,3 or 1,2-bis-(benzimidazole-1-yl-methylene)-benzene as a flexible spacer ligand: Synthesis, characterization and X-ray structures of some polynuclear species

► Bidentate bis-benzimidazole ligands with three different xylene spacers are reported. ► Crystal structures of dinuclear and polynuclear cobalt and zinc compounds have been obtained. ► The connectivity of the ligand plays an important, but as yet not fully understood role in the determination of the structure.