Dimerization reactions basic principles

In our studies of the open-framework zinc oxalates, we have recently isolated monomeric, dimeric, ID linear chain, 2D layer, and 3D structures by the reaction of amine oxalates with Zn2+ ions,21 suggesting thereby that the presence of a hierarchy of structures is not unique to the phosphates alone. We believe that the evidence provided by our studies for the existence of an Aufbau principle of open-framework complex structures is of considerable significance. Many other complex inorganic structures are also likely to be formed by similar building-up processes, involving basic building units and self-assembly. 

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