Cobalt complexes as the building blocks: {Co3+–Zn2+} heterobimetallic networks and their propertiesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Full experimental details, characterization, figures, and tables. CCDC reference numbers 767585–767588. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c0dt00511hWe dedicate this paper to Professor Rabindranath Mukherjee.

Two {Co3+–Zn2+} heterobimetallic coordination networks have been synthesized utilizing Co3+complex as the building blocks. The structural studies reveal 2D sheet-like networks where the Co3+containing building blocks are connected through Zn2+ions. Two different building blocks generate two unique networks as evidenced by the crystallographic studies and other properties. These networks are shown to catalyze Lewis metal ion assisted Strecker reaction in heterogeneous manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]