Coordination polymers

Coordination polymers are a new kind of supramolecular compound formed by self-assembly of transition metal ions and organic ligands. Many are of interest for catalysis or possess physical properties endowing them with significant potential as functional solid materials with applications in magnetic devices or nonlinear optics. For the purposes of the synthesis of new polymers, they may be classified as a) heterocyclic, b) CN-bearers, c) oxygen-bearers, d) mixed, with two kinds of organic ligand, and e) mixed, with two kinds of metal. Our efforts have focussed on the complexation of transition metal ions by ligands containing carboxylate and alcoholate groups to create polymers forming 2D and 3D networks. We are particularly interested in using co‑ligands to create crystal topologies suitable for catalysis and/or adsorption of host molecules.