Aromatic N-oxides in construction of different carboxylate coordination polymers of zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II)

► Coordination polymers of aromatic N-oxides of Zn, Cd and Hg are reported. ► Nature of metals play key role in structural manipulation. ► Trinuclear cadmium benzoates are bridged by 4,4'-BPNO to form polymeric chain. ► Double helical polymer of mercury is reported.