2D supramolecular structure for a chiral heterotrinuclear Zn^II₂Ho^III complex through varied H-bonds connecting solvates and counterions

We report the crystal structure of [Zn₂Ho^III(L)(ald)(HO)(H₂O)₃(MeCN)](NO₃)₂·EtOH [being H₃L = 2-(5‑bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine); and Hald = 5‑bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde]. Despite the presence of two bulky multidentate ligands, as well as several monodentate ligands surrounding the nonacoordinated holmium cation, and the two pseudooctahedral zinc ions, the intricate H-bonded system formed by this chiral heterotrinuclear complex is only expanded in a 2D supramolecular structure. The interactions involve the nitrate counterions and the solvated ethanol, in such way that each complex unit is connected to an identical enantiomer, and to two units of inverted chirality through H bonds