Coordination-directed one-dimensional coordination polymers generated from a new oxadiazole bridging ligand and HgX2 (X=Cl, Br and I).

A new 1,3,4-oxadiazole bridging bent organic ligand, 2,5-bis{5-methyl-2-[(4-pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}-1,3,4-oxadiazole, C(28)H(24)N(4)O(3), L, has been used to create three novel one-dimensional isomorphic coordination polymers, viz. catena-poly[[[dichloridomercury(II)]-μ-2,5-bis{5-methyl-2-[(4-pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}-1,3,4-oxadiazole] methanol monosolvate], {[HgCl(2)(C(28)H(24)N(4)O(3))]·CH(3)OH}(n), catena-poly[[[dibromidomercury(II)]-μ-2,5-bis{5-methyl-2-[(4-pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}-1,3,4-oxadiazole] methanol monosolvate], {[HgBr(2)(C(28)H(24)N(4)O(3))]·CH(3)OH}(n), and catena-poly[[[diiodidomercury(II)]-μ-2,5-bis{5-methyl-2-[(4-pyridyl)methoxy]phenyl}-1,3,4-oxadiazole] methanol monosolvate], {[HgI(2)(C(28)H(24)N(4)O(3))]·CH(3)OH}(n). The free L ligand itself adopts a cis conformation, with the two terminal pyridine rings and the central oxadiazole ring almost coplanar [dihedral angles = 5.994 (7) and 9.560 (6)°]. In the Hg(II) complexes, however, one of the flexible pyridylmethyl arms of ligand L is markedly bent and helical chains are obtained. The Hg(II) atom lies in a distorted tetrahedral geometry defined by two pyridine N-atom donors from two L ligands and two halide ligands. The helical chains stack together via interchain π-π interactions that expand the dimensionality of the structure from one to two. The methanol solvent molecules link to the complex polymers through O-H···N and O-H···O hydrogen bonds.