Self-assembled molecular ladders

Abstract

Coordination of a pyridine-based bridging ligand, 1,4-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)benzene (1), with cadmium nitrate afforded an infinite ladder complex, the unit structure of which involves a T-shaped assembly of three pyridine rings about a heptacoordinated Cd^II atom. The ladder structure was found to expand its cavity volume by enclathrating p-dibromobenzene in the cavity. Nearly orthogonal interpenetration of infinite ladders was observed in the solid structure.