One-dimensional co-ordination polymers formed by crown ether metal cation bridges: synthesis and crystal structure of nickel(II) dithiolene complexes[{Na(benzo-15-crown-5)}(2) Ni(i-mnt)(2)](n)center dot nCH(2)Cl(2) and [{Na(benzo-15-crown-5)}(2)Ni(mnt)(2)](n)

Reaction of NiCl2. 6H(2)O, Na-2[i-mnt] and benzo-15-crown-5 in CH3OH/CH2Cl2 at room temperature leads to [{Na(benzo-15-crown-5)}(2)Ni(mnt)(2)](n) . nC H(2)Cl(2) (1). The same reaction with Na-2[mnt] instead of Na-2[i-mnt] affo rds [{Na(benzo-15-crown-5)}(2)Ni(mnt)(2)](n) (2). Both complexes were isola ted as crystalline products. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the mai n segments of 1 and 2 are infinite "train" structures, in which the buildin g blocks Ni(i-mnt), or Ni(mnt), in end-to-end arrangements act as "body fra mes" and crown cycles standing by the body frames play the role of "cartwhe el". They are joined with each other through sodium ions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.