Formation of different framework structured dimeric dianions formed from the reduction of 2,4,6-tricyano-1,3,5-triazine and 1,3,5-tricyanobenzeneDedicated to Michael Hanack on the occasion of the 70th birthday.

Reduction of 2,4,6-tricyano-1,3,5-triazine (1) and 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene (2) leads to dianionic dimers with long, ∼1.57 Å, central C–C bonds. In contrast to 1, which dimerizes at the nitrile substituted carbon, 2 has a different motif as it dimerizes at the hydrogen substituted carbon.