Synthesis, structure, and properties of coordination complexes based on zinc halides and TTF-pyridyl ligand

[Display omitted] •One-dimensional micro and bulk crystals have been prepared.•The microstructures were the same as that of the bulk crystal.•Complex 1 is an insulator at room temperature.•Complex 2 shows a high conductivity at the same condition. Two ZnII coordination complexes of EDT-TTF-4-py, (EDT-TTF-4-py=4-ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalenyl-pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized in micro and bulk crystal forms. These two complexes were synthesized by coordinative self-assemble through a solution process. At room temperature, the complex 2, (EDT-TTF-4-py)2·ZnBr2·CH2Cl2 shows high conductivity without external manipulation, whereas the complex 1, (EDT-TTF-4-py)2·ZnCl2 is an insulator. These investigations show that the size of the halide and the difference of the molecular packing motif could result different conductive properties in these two complexes.