Coordinative
networks of thiacalix[4]-bis-monothiacrown-5 (L) whose
infinite structures span from one (1D) to three dimensions
(3D) with hard (K+), borderline (Cd2+), and
soft (Cu+, Hg2+) metal salts are reported. First,
mercury(II) salts afforded straight and zigzag 1D coordination polymers
of type [(Hg2X4)(L)]
n
(1: X = Cl and 2: X =
SCN), respectively, with an L-Hg2X4-L-Hg2X4 pattern. When cadmium(II)
salts (CdX2) (3: X = Br and 4: X = I) were used, the bromo complex 3 exhibited an
infinite 2D structure with square lattice (sql) topology,
in which trilooped Cd4Br8 cluster acts as a
four-connected node. In contrast, the iodo complex 4 showed
a 1D polymeric chain similar to 1. A mixture of KI and
CdI2 gave an exceptional discrete complex of type {[(K2
L)CdI3]2[K2
L](CdI4)2·2CH3CN} (5) with five separated parts involving two identical endo/exocyclic
heteronuclear complex units. Interestingly, the CuI complexation yielded
a mixture of two supramolecular isomers (6 and 7) of type [(Cu4I4)(L)2]
n
, each of which was separated
with the naked eye under a UV lamp due to their drastically different
photoluminescence properties; isomer 6 is emissive while
isomer 7 is nonemissive. Isomer 6 features
an infinite 3D network with threefold interpenetrated diamodoid (dia) topology in which Cu4I4 cubane
tetramers act as 4-connected nodes, while isomer 7 is
a non-interpenetrated 2D network with sql topology incorporating
Cu4I4 stepped cubane tetramers as 4-connected
nodes. Consequently, the borderline and soft metal ions bind to the
S-donor on the O4S1-crown loop in an exocyclic
mode to form low to high dimensional coordinative networks, with S-bridges
in the thiacalix rim remaining uncoordinated mainly because of the
weak basicity and rigid conformation. This work also demonstrates
the supramolecular isomers incorporating two types of Cu4I4 tetramers which exhibit different photophysical properties
as a good example not only for the crystal engineering of the exocoordinated
networking but also for the structure–function relationship.