Formation of Dinuclear, Macrocyclic, and Chain Structures from HgI2 and a Semirigid Benzimidazole-Based Bridging Ligand: An Example of Ring-Opening Supramolecular Isomerism

Abstract
The reactions of HgI2 with the semirigid ditopic ligand 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (bbimms) afforded three new complexes, [Hg2(μ-I)2I2(bbimms)] (1), [Hg2I4(bbimms)2] (2), and catena-poly[HgI2(bbimms)] (3). The ligand and all complexes have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 is a triply bridged dinuclear complex comprised of two Hg(II) ions, one bridging ligand, two bridging I- anions, and two terminal I- anions. 2 is a dinuclear metallamacrocycle comprised of two Hg(II) ions, two bridging ligands, and four terminal I- anions, while 3 is a helical chain with the repeating unit of HgI2(bbimms). 2 and 3 can be classified as supramolecular isomers, and both are related to the triply bridged precursor 1 via the addition of one more ligand in a ring-opening process.

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