2D double-layered dibenzoyl-tartrate chiral coordination polymer containing [Mn 4 L 2 (bpp) 4 ] tetrahedral cage

The solution reactions of metal salts with (+)-dibenzoyl-tartaric acid (H2L) and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp) or 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) afford three two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers, [Mn2L2(bpp)2(H2O)4]n·nH2O (1), [CuL(bpp)]n·nH2O (2) and [CoL(4,4′-bipy)(CH3OH)(H2O)]n (3). Dibenzoyl-tartrate ligand displays cis- or trans-conformation, and acts as a 1,4-dicarboxylate linker. Complex 1 features a beautiful 2D double-layered (4,4) network containing [Mn4L2(bpp)4] tetrahedral cage. The flexible bpp ligand links Mn(II) to form an interesting 64-membered saddle-shaped macrocycle [Mn4(bpp)4]. Complex 2 displays a 2D wave-like network assembled by 1D [CuL]n linear chain and 1D [Cu(bpp)]n zigzag chain. Complex 3 is a 2D layered network constructing from [CoL(CH3OH)(H2O)]n chain and [Co(4,4′-bipy)]n chain.