Coexisting covalent and non-covalent planar networks in the crystal structures of {[M(bipy)(2)(NO3)(2)]center dot arene}(n) (M = Ni, 1; Co, 2 ; arene= chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, benzene, nitrobenzene, toluene or anisole)

The compounds {[M(4,4'-bipy)(2)(NO3)(2)].x arene}(n) (M=Ni, 1; Co, 2; x=2 f or arene=chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, benzene, nitrobenzene or toluene ; x=3 for arene=anisole) have been prepared and their crystal structures de termined. All compounds represent rare examples of interpenetrating planar networks that are chemically different. It appears that the networks coexis t because the (4,4) topology of the cobalt and nickel square grids is compl ementary to the (4,4) and (6,3) topology of the arene networks, resulting i n inclined interpenetration and a 3-D architecture. This observation is dis cussed in the broader context of rational design strategies for hybrid soli ds.