PdII , Ag I and Zn II complexes of tetrakis(7-azaindolyl)benzene (ttab), [(PdCl 2 ) 2 (ttab)] (1), [(ZnCl 2 ) 2 (ttab)] (2), [Ag(NO 3 )] 2 -(ttab) (3a) and [Ag(NO 3 )(DMSO)] 2 (ttab) (3b) were synthesized and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, singlecrystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analyses. The ttab ligand in these complexes displays two different bonding modes. In the Pd II and Zn II complexes, the ttab ligand chelates to the metal center via two ortho 7-azaindolyl groups (the ortho mode). In contrast, in the Ag I complex, it chelates to the Ag I ion via two meta 7-azaindolyl groups (the meta mode). In the solid state, molecules of 1 and 2 form grid-