Two new compounds, [CoL2(H2O)(2)](NO3)(2). 8H(2)O (1) and [CoL(H2O)(2)(CH3C
O2)(2)]. H2O (2), were obtained from self-assembly of the corresponding met
al salts with 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(benzimidazole) (L). In 1, each cobal
t ion is coordinated to four nitrogen atoms from four molecules of L, and t
o two water molecules. Metal ions are bridged by L ligands to form infinite
(4, 4) networks that contain 44-membered rings. The (4, 4) networks of 1 s
tack in a parallel fashion, resulting in the formation of large channels in
the material. In 2, each cobalt ion is coordinated to two N atoms from two
L molecules, two water molecules and two carboxylate O atoms from two acet
ate anions. Each L molecule is coordinated to two cobalt ions, acting as a
bridging ligand as in 1. The bridged cobalt ions form an infinite zigzag ch
ain structure.