The hydrogen bonded polymer structures of [{Mn(2-mbiH)(2)center dot TMEDA}center dot A-A](infinity) [2-mbiH(2)=2-mercaptobenzimidazole; A-A = TMEDA (Me2NCH2CH2NMe2) or DABCO (N{CH2CH2}(3)N)]

The reaction of [MnCp2] with 2-mbiH(2) (1 : 2 equiv.) in the presence of TM EDA gives [{Mn(2-mbiH)(2). TMEDA}. TMEDA](infinity) 1. A similar reaction e mploying TMEDA and DABCO (1 :1 equiv.) yields [{Mn(2-mbiH)(2). TMEDA}. DABC O](infinity) 2. In the crystal, both complexes adopt similar polymeric stru ctures in which the bifunctional [Mn(2-mbiH)(2). TMEDA] units are associate d by hydrogen bonds to lattice-bound TMEDA or DABCO ligands. The structural motif adopted by both complexes can be regarded as resulting from a fusion of separate helical elements.