Metal complexes of hexaazatriphenylene (hat) and its derivatives - from oligonuclear complexes to coordination polymers

Metal complexes of haxaazatriphenylene (hat) and its derivatives are reviewed, focusing on assembled structures based on their X-ray crystallographic structures. A wide variety of crystal structures of mononuclear, binuclear, trinuclear and oligonuclear complexes and coordination polymers are classified by the coordination modes such as bidentate, bis-bidentate, and tris-bidentate forms of the ligands, their synthetic procedures being developed from serendipitous to rational level. Their magnetic, electrochemical, photophysical properties, and molecular inclusions are described. The ligand, hat, discussed here is one of the most useful multifunctional ligands, affording not only various self-assembled frameworks but also unique electronic structures. Their characteristics are mentioned in detail. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.