Reaction of 1-methylcyclobutenedione with M(NO
3)
2·
xH
2O [M = Co (
1) and Ni (
2)] produces isomorphouspolymeric complexes of formula M(CH
3C
4O
3)(NO
3)(H
2O)
4·2H
2O that crystallize in the monoclinic space
group
P2
1/
m (No. 11) with, for
1,
a = 6.409(5) &Arin
g;,
b = 14.717(10) &Arin
g;,
c = 7.259(6) &Arin
g;,
![](/ima<font color=)
ges/
gifchars/beta2.
gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN="middle"> = 114.73(4)
![](/ima<font color=)
ges/entities/de
g.
gif">, and
Z = 2 (themetal atom bein
g positioned on a center of symmetry). In both cases, adjacent metal centers are brid
ged
![](/ima<font color=)
ges/entities/m
gr.
gif">-1,3 bythe 1-methylcyclobutenedione li
gand, which exhibits distinct multiple bond localization. The positive char
ges onthe polymer chains are in each case balanced by nitrate ions. The metal atoms are six-coordinate with trans-oriented 1-methylcyclobutenedione li
gands, and with four aqua li
gands completin
g the coordination sphere.Reduction of the crystallization temperature, however, resulted, with Co, in the formation of the monomericcomplex Co(CH
3C
4O
3)
2·4H
2O (
4). Isomorphous Mn (
3), Cu (
5), and Zn (
6) analo
gues have also been synthesized.These crystallize in the monoclinic space
group
P2
1/
n (No. 14) with, for
3,
a = 8.8258(8) &Arin
g;,
b = 16.1527(14)&Arin
g;,
c = 9.9084(8) &Arin
g;,
![](/ima<font color=)
ges/
gifchars/beta2.
gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN="middle"> = 93.230(7)
![](/ima<font color=)
ges/entities/de
g.
gif">, and
Z = 4. The central metal atom in each of these compounds is six-coordinate, bein
g bound to two trans-oriented 1-methylcyclobutenedione li
gands and four aqua li
gands, the formercoordinatin
g in a monodentate fashion via the oxy
gen atom trans to the methyl substituent. In both the polymericand monomeric complexes extensive three-dimensional hydro
gen-bonded networks are formed in the solid state.