Unprecedented Marriage of a Cationic Pentanuclear Cluster and a 2D Polymeric Anionic Layer Based on a Flexible Tripodal Ligand and a CuII Ion

The anionic CdI2 center dot type topological net, [Cu-2(tci)(2)](2-), and the pentanuclear copper custer cation [Cu-5(tci)(2)(OH)(2)(H2O)(8)](2+) [tci = tris-(2-carboxyethyl)isocyanurate] form a complementary 3D supramolecular framework. Interestingly, there exist centrosymmetric cyclic (H2O)(18) clusters in the cavities.