Coordination polymers Ln(BBP)2[Au(CN)2]3·2(CH3CN) (Ln = Eu, Gd) and Ln(BBP)(NO3)2[Au(CN)2]·(CH3CN) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) have been synthesized. They incorporate bis(benzimidazole)pyridine (BBP), a highly anisotropic building block which, in conjunction with Ln centres and [Au(CN)2]− units generates the first highly birefringent, emissive coordination polymer materials.
