The reaction between [Zn(tu) 4 ]Cl 2 and the appropriate sodium dicarboxylate has been shown to give the coordination polymers [Zn(tu) all of which have been crystallographically characterised. The crystal structures of 7−9 demonstrate that these compounds form helical structures in which the dicarboxylates adopt conformations with the relative positions of the carboxylate groups similar to those in constrained anions such as phthalate. The role of the chloride counterion in the starting material has been explored by investigating the reactions of [Zn(tu) 4 ](NO 3 ) 2 with a range of dicarboxylates. Although in the majority of cases the counterion was shown to have no

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