Solvent Dependent Crystallization of Isomeric Chain Coordination Polymers in the Ce-Zn/Cd-dipic System

Six linear chain coordination polymers containing alternating CeIV and ZnII/CdII coordination polyhedra are formed with dipicolinic acid (dipicH2) depending upon the crystallization conditions. They belong to three isomeric types that differ in the way the tricapped trigonal prismatic polyhedra of [Ce(dpic)3]2− are linked with the Zn/Cd octahedra. The different isomers differ in complexity as reflected in their angularity and repeat units. Highly angular chains lead to porous structures, one of which incorporates a 16-water cluster.