[Cd(H2O)6]@{Cd6Cl4(nico)12[Hg(Tab)2(μ-Cl)]2}: a heterometallic host–guest icosidodecahedron cage via hierarchical assembly

A reaction of [Hg(Tab)₂(nico)](PF₆) (Tab = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate, nico = nicotinate) with equimolar CdCl₂·2.5H₂O afforded a unique heterometallic cage complex [Cd(H₂O)₆]@{Cd₆Cl₄(nico)₁₂[Hg(Tab)₂(μ-Cl)]₂}.