Syntheses and characterization of four coordination compounds derived from 10,11,12,13-tetrahydro-4,5,9,14-tetraaza-benzo[b]triphenylene and benzene-dicarboxylic acids

Co₂(TTBT)₄(1,2-BDC)₂] _n ?·?4nH₂O (1), Pb₂(TTBT)₂(1,3-BDC)₂] _n ?·?nTTBT?·?2nH₂O (2), Fe(TTBT)(1,4-BDC)(H₂O)] _n (3), and Zn(TTBT)(1,4-BDC)(H₂O)] _n (4) have been hydrothermally synthesized by self-assembly of TTBT (TTBT?=?10,11,12,13-tetrahydro-4,5,9,14-tetraaza-benzob]triphenylene), benzene-dicarboxylic acid ligands 1,2-H₂BDC, 1,3-H₂BDC or 1,4-H₂BDC (1,2-H₂BDC?=?1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-H₂BDC?=?1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-H₂BDC?=?1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid), and various metal salts. Compound 1 has dinuclear cluster units, four dimeric Co₂ units connected to form a 32-membered ring via weak offset π–π interactions, which are further stacked via strong π–π interactions to form a 3-D supramolecular framework. Complex 2 contains 2-D layers with rhombohedral grids, which are connected to a 3-D structure by π–π interactions. 3 and 4 feature 1-D infinite chains, which are further extended by strong π–π interactions and O–H···O hydrogen bonds resulting in 3-D supramolecular architectures. The photoluminescent properties of 2 and 4 have also been investigated.