A remarkable 14-nuclear Re₈^VAg₆^I coordination oligomer derived from a 2D (Re₂^VAg₂^I)_n coordination polymer with D-penicillaminate

Re^V polymer/oligomer switching: The aggregation of Re^V otahedra, [ReO-(D-pen-N,O)(D-pen-N,O,S)]^- (D-H₂pen=D-penicillamine), assisted by Ag^I ions, leads to the formation of a 2D (Re₂^VAg₂^I)_n coordination polymer 1, which is converted into a Re₈^VAg₆^I coordination oligomer 2 (see picture; Ag green, S yellow, Re purple, O red, N blue). While 1 results from the self-assembly of Re₂^VAg₂^I units through Ag-O coordination bonding, the self-assembly of Re₈^VAg₆^I molecules in 2 is through COOH ⋯ OOC hydrogen bonding.