Investigating the geometrical preferences of a flexible benzimidazolone-based linker in the synthesis of coordination polymers.

A series of new group 2 coordination polymers,  ={MgL(HO)(DMF)},  = {CaL(DMF)},  = {SrL(HO)} and  = {BaL(HO)}, were synthesized using a flexible benzimidazolone diacetic acid linker () in which the two carboxylic acid binding sites are connected to a planar core via {-CH-} spacers that can freely rotate in solution. In a 'curiosity-led' diversion from group 2 metals, the first row transition metal salts Mn, Cu and Zn were also reacted with to yield crystals of {MnL(DMF)(HO)},  = {CuL(DMF)(CHO)} and  = {ZnL(DMF)}. Crystal structures were obtained for all seven materials.