Self-assembly of a molecular M8L12 cube having S6 symmetry

Reaction of the bis-bidentate ligand L-1, having two bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine termini, with Co(II) or Zn(II) results in formation of the complexes [M-8(L-1)(12)]X-16 (X = perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate); [Zn-8(L-1)(12)](ClO4)(16) has been structurally characterised and is a cube with a metal ion at each corner, a bridging ligand along each edge, and an anion in the central cavity.