Supramolecular architectures with ladder and lamellar topologies using metal-ligand coordination units via C–H···Cl and O–H···Cl hydrogen bonding

New Mn^II/Cu^II/Zn^II complexes (L¹)MnCl₂] (1), (L²)CuCl₂]·0.5H₂O (2) and (L²)ZnCl(H₂O)]ClO₄] (3), containing (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands, N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L¹) and methyl2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L²), have been prepared and characterized, including X-ray crystallography. The most striking feature of the structures of these complexes is the formation of molecular ladder and lamellar topology through the crystal packing arrangement, determined by both strong O–H···Cl and weak (however, multiple) C–H···Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions, to maintain the neutral/cationic metal-ligand coordination units linked to each other. In 3, additional secondary interactions are observed involving coordinated solvent and the counter-ion. The results presented here demonstrate that (i) the choice of organic ligands to provide flexibility and inherent potential to participate in hydrogen-bonding interactions, (ii) the coordination geometry preferences of metal ions, (iii) the number of metal-bound chloride ion and (iv) the presence of solvent/counter-anion have a great influence on supramolecular network topology.