In the solid state the di(8-hydroxyquinoline) derivative 2-H2 forms a hydrogen bonded polymer while with gallium(III) nitrate a cryptate-type triple-stranded meso-helicate [M⊂{(2)3Ga2}]+ is obtained in the presence of the appropriate alkali metal cations as templates. The templates can have a crucial influence on the self-recognition of the ligands, if the complex formation is performed with ligand mixtures.
