Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of five iron(II) coordination polymers with flexible bis(imidazole) and bis(triazole) ligands

Five iron(II) coordination polymers, {[Fe(bte)₂(NCS)₂][Fe(bte)(H₂O)₂(NCS)₂]}_n (1), [Fe(bime)(NCS)₂]_n (2), [Fe(bime)(dca)₂]_n (3), [Fe(bime)₂(N₃)₂]_n (4) and [Fe(btb)₂(NCS)₂]_n (5), were synthesized using the flexible ligands 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane (bte), 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-yl)ethane (bime) and 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane (btb), together with NCS⁻, dicyanamide (dca) and N₃⁻. The compound 1 contains two kinds of motifs (double chain and single chain) and forms a three-dimensional hydrogen bonded network; 2 and 3 contain one-dimensional triple chains; and 4 and 5 form two-dimensional (4, 4) networks. The coordination anions (NCS⁻, dca and N₃⁻) and the structural characteristics of the ligands (bte, bime and btb) play an important role in the assembly of the topologies. Magnetic studies reveal that 1-5 remain in the high-spin state over the whole temperature range 2-300 K and no detectable spin-crossover is observed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structures,and photoluminescent properties of two cadmium(II) coordination polymers derived from dicarboxylates and N-donor ligands

Two metal coordination polymers, [Cd(ipa)(L₁)(H₂O)]_n (1) and [Cd(ipa)(L₂)]_n (2) [H₂ipa?=?isophthalic acid, L₁?=?3,5-bis(imidazole-1-yl)pyridine and L₂?=?3,5-bis(benzoimidazo-1-ly)pyridine], have been synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis, XRD, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Complex 1 shows a twofold cds topological net and 2 features a 3-D pcu topological net. Luminescent properties of 1 and 2 were investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Synthesis,structures, and fluorescence of two cadmium(II) coordination polymers with a semirigid bis-benzimidazole

Compounds [CdLCl₂] _n (1) and {[Cd(L)₂(ClO₄)]·ClO₄} _n (2), where L?=?1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, have been synthesized by hydrothermal method, and characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, Powder XRD, and X-ray crystallographic diffraction. Cd(II) in 1 and 2 are both trigonal bipyramidal. Different cadmium salts of chloride and perchlorate lead to different configurations of [Cd₂L₂]²⁺, trans-form in 1 but trans and cis-forms in 2. The 1-D beaded chains of 1 are further linked to generate a 3-D supramolecular architecture by strong π–π stacking interactions as well as intermolecular C–H?···?Cl hydrogen bonds. In 2, the 1-D beaded chains are further assembled by intermolecular C–H?···?O hydrogen bonds to form a 2-D layer. Solid-state fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 were investigated at room temperature.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and fluorescence of cadmium(II) coordination polymers with derivatives of pyrazine-1,4-dioxide and thiocyanate as mixed-bridging ligands

Two Cd(II) coordination polymers have been synthesized with derivatives of pyrazine-1,4-dioxide and thiocyanate anion as bridging ligands and structurally determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1, [Cd(μ_1,3-SCN^?)₂(μ_1,6-L1)] _n (L1?=?2,5-dimethylpyrazine-1,4-dioxide), belongs to the triclinic, space group P 1 with a?=?5.7627(18)?Å, b?=?7.182(2)?Å, c?=?7.509(2)?Å, α?=?74.042(3)°, β?=?84.766(4)°, γ?=?88.162(4)°; complex 2, [Cd₂(μ_1,3-SCN^?)₄(μ₄-L2)] _n (L2?=?2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine-1,4-dioxide), crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group C2/m with a?=?10.194(4)?Å, b?=?13.491(6)?Å, c?=?8.140(3)?Å, β?=?120.372(4)°. Complex 1 shows a two-dimensional sheet structure, and in a direction the Cd(II) ions were coordinated by μ_1,3-SCN^? forming the one-dimensional chain and the L1 bridging ligand made the chains connect in the c direction leading to formation of a two-dimensional sheet on the ac plane. For 2 the one-dimensional chains in the a axis were constructed by coordination of μ_1,3-SCN^? bridging ligands with the Cd(II) ions, and in b and c directions the chains were joined by L2 bridging ligands leading to a three-dimensional structure. In 2 L2 displays a μ₄-bridging coordination mode. Both complexes exhibit strong fluorescence emission.     

A series of silver coordination polymers constructed from flexible bis(benzimidazole) ligands and different carboxylates

In this article, eight new silver coordination polymers constructed from two structurally related ligands, 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) (bbmb) and 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(2-ethylbenzimedazole) (bbeb), have been synthesized: [Ag(L1)(bbmb)]·C₂H₅OH·H₂O (1), [Ag(L2)(bbmb)]·C₂H₅OH (2), [Ag(L3)(bbmb)] (3), [Ag₂(L4)(bbmb)₂]·C₂H₅OH (4), [Ag(L2)(bbeb)]·C₂H₅OH (5), [Ag(L5)(bbeb)]·CH₃OH (6), [Ag₂(L6)₂(bbeb)]·H₂O (7), and [Ag₂(L7)(bbeb)₂]·4(H₂O) (8), where L1 = benzoate anion, L2 = p-methoxybenzoate anion, L3 = 2-amino-benzoate anion, L4 = oxalate anion, L5 = cinnamate ainon, L6 = 3-amino-benzoate anion, and L7 = fumaric anion. In 1-3, 5 and 6, the bidentate N-donor ligands (bbmb and bbeb) in trans conformations bridge neighboring silver centers to form 1D single chain structures. The carboxylate anions are attached on both sides of the chains. Moreover, 1 and 3 are extended into 2D layers, while 2 and 6 are extended into 3D frameworks through π-π interactions. In 4, the bbmb ligands bridge adjacent Ag(I) centers to form -Ag-bbmb-Ag- chains, which are further connected by L4 anions to form a 2D layer. The resulting layers are extended into 3D frameworks through strong π-π interactions. In 7, the N-donor ligands (bbeb) in trans conformations bridge two silver centers to generate a [Ag₂(bbeb)]²⁺ unit. The adjacent [Ag₂(bbeb)]²⁺ units are further connected via the L6 anions to form a 1D ladder chain. Moreover, the structure of compound 7 is extended into a 3D framework through hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. In 8, two Ag(I) cations are bridged by two bbeb ligands in cis conformations to form a [Ag₂(bbeb)₂]²⁺ ring, which are further linked by L7 anions to generate a 1D string chain. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions link L7 anions to form a 2D supramolecular sheet. Additionally, the luminescent properties of these compounds were also studied.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of cadmium(II)X2-hexamethylenetetramine (X = Br/I/SCN) coordination polymers having different dimensionality

Four new coordination polymers of cadmium(II) with hexamethylenetetramine (htm) have been synthesized and characterized by routine physicochemical techniques as well as by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. They are [CdBr(htm)(SCN)(H₂O)₂·CH₃OH]_n (1), [CdI(htm)(SCN)(H₂O)₂·0.5(CH₃OH)]_n (2), [Cd₂(htm)₃(SCN)₄(H₂O)]_n·nH₂O (3) and [Cd₃Br₆(htm)₂(H₂O)₅·(htm)(H₂O)₆]_n (4). Complexes 1, 2 and 3 exhibit 1D polymeric structure and complex 4 shows a 2D undulated layered arrangement, containing Cd₆(htm)₆ hexagonal units as building block, which extended to a 3D supramolecular architecture through hydrogen bonding. Thorough thermal investigation suggest that as far as the thermal stability of Cd(II)-htm bond is concerned it attains the maximum in complex 1 and minimum in complex 4. In case of complex 3 the thermal study inferred that CdS end product was obtained at ∼730 °C, whereas in case of other complexes the thermally stable end product remained unidentified. Solid state fluorescence study shows that all the complexes are luminescent at room temperature except complex 3.     

Syntheses and structures of three new coordination polymers with the flexible 1,4- bis (imidazol-1-yl)butane ligand

Three new coordination polymers [Co(bimb)₂(NCS)₂] _n (1), {[Co(bimb)₂(dca)₂]?·?CH₃CN} _n (2) and [Cu(bimb)₂(NO₃)₂] _n (3) (bimb?=?1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)butane, dca?=?dicyanamide) were synthesized and characterized. In 1, each Co(II) links two Co(II)'s by double bimb ligands and extends to form a one-dimensional chain containing the Co₂(bimb)₂ 22-membered metallocycle. 2 and 3 are two-dimensional (4, 4) networks linked by bimb bridges. The conformations of the bimb ligands in 1, 2 and 3 are analyzed.     

Crystal structure and fluorescence/phosphorescence of two novel Cd(II) coordination polymers

Two novel Cd(II) coordination polymers [Cd₄(C₆H₄O₂N)₈(H₂O)₄]_n (1) and [Cd₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)(H₂O)₆]_n (2) have been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and structurally characterized. Crystal data: (1), orthorhombic, Pbca, a=11.4494(19) Å, b=12.0969(6) Å, c=17.4073(8) Å, V=2410.9(4) ų, Z=8, D _calc=2.064 g·cm⁻³; (2), triclinic, P , a=5.5962(7) Å, b=7.7758(6) Å, c=9.6975(10) Å, α=111.981(5)°, β=101.649(6)°, γ=98.240(5)°, V=371.95(7) ų, Z=2, D _calc=2.603 g·cm⁻³. Complex (1) possesses three-dimensional infinite structure, while complex (2) adopts two-dimensional layers and the layers are connected by the many types of hydrogen bonds, forming three-dimensional network. Study results of the photophysical properties show that both complexes can emit strong blue fluorescence and complex (1) also emits phosphorescence (λ ^pl _max=511 nm, τ=32 ms) in the solid state at room temperature.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and properties of two cadmium coordination polymers containing bis (2-methylimidazol-1-yl)methane(2-mBIM) and bis (imidazol-1-yl)methane (BIM) ligands

Coordination polymers, {[Cd(2-mBIM)₃](ClO₄)₂} _n (1) and [Cd(BIM)₂(NO₃)₂] _n (2), have been prepared from the reaction of bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)methane(2-mBIM) with Cd(ClO₄)₂ and bis(imidazol-1-yl)methane (BIM) with Cd(NO₃)₂ in ethanol and water, respectively. Their structures were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Compound 1 crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R-3c with a = b = 12.3617(5) Å, c = 38.896(3) Å, γ = 120°, V = 5147.5(5) ų, z = 6. The Cd^II occupies a crystallographic inversion center and is coordinated by six N atoms from six distinct 2-mBIM ligands to form a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. Each 2-mBIM is coordinated to two Cd^II cations, linking alternatively four Cd^II cations, resulting in a 32-membered M₄L₄ macrometallacycle. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with a = 14.400(3) Å, b = 9.3894(18) Å, c = 8.6926(17) Å, β = 123.499(2)°, V = 980.1(3) ų, z = 2. The Cd coordinates to four nitrogen atoms from four different BIM and two nitrates to form a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The BIM ligands bridge to form a 1-D infinite double-bridged chain structure with 16-membered M₂L₂ macrometallacyclic structural units.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and luminescent properties of two cadmium(II) complexes based on bis(imidazole) and dicarboxylate

Two complexes, [Cd(ip–OH)(H₂biim)(H₂O)][Cd(ip–OH)(H₂biim)(H₂O)₃]·8(H₂O) (1) and [Cd(Himdc)(H₂biim)] _n (2) (H₂ip–OH?=?5-hydroxylisophthalic acid, H₂biim?=?2,2’-biimidazolate, H₃imdc?=?4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 is a 3-D supramolecular network constructed by 0-D and 1-D motifs through hydrogen bonds and π?π interactions. Complex 2 is a 1-D zigzag polymeric coordination chain and the chains are connected to form a 3-D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds. The complexes were characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. Fluorescence was also investigated.     

Syntheses and structures of three manganese coordination polymers with 1,4- bis (imidazol-1-yl)butane

Three manganese coordination polymers [Mn(bimb)₂(NCS)₂] _n (1), [Mn(bimb)₂(dca)₂] _n (2) and [Mn(bimb)₂(N₃)₂] _n (3) (bimb?=?1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)butane, dca?=?dicyanamide) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR and thermogravimetric analysis. In 1 and 2, each Mn(II) links two Mn(II) atoms by double bimb ligands and extends to form a one-dimensional double chain structure containing the Mn₂(bimb)₂ 22-member metallocycle. 3 constructs a two-dimensional (4,4) network linked by bimb bridges.     

Syntheses and structures of five cadmium(II) coordination polymers from 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane

Five structually distinct coordination polymers [Cd(bte)₃](NO₃)_{2 n} (1), [Cd(bte)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)_{2 n} (2), [Cd(bte)(NO₂)₂] _n (3), [Cd(bte)₂(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂(ClO₄)_{2 n} (4) and [Cd(bte)(NCS)₂]_n (5) (bte = 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 consist of a double interpenetrating three-dimensional -poloniumn cubic network, a two-dimensional (4,4) network, a two-dimensional rhombic network, a one-dimensional double chain containing 18-membered [Cd₂(bte)₂] rings and a two-dimensional rhombic network containing eight-membered [Cd₂(SCN)₂] rings, respectively.     

Infinite chains constructed from flexible bis(benzimidazole)-based ligands

Two neutral ligands, L¹ · 2H₂O and L² · H₂O, and seven complexes, [Cu(pmb)₂(L¹)] (1), [Cu(pmb)₂(L²)] (2), [Cu(Ac)₂(L²)] · 4H₂O (3), [Cu(4-aba)₂(L²)] (4), [Ag(4-ts)(L¹)(H₂O)] (5), [Ag₂(epes)₂(L¹)] · 2H₂O (6), [Ag(1,5-nds)_0.5(L²)] · 0.5C₂H₅OH · H₂O (7) [where L¹ = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(2-methylbenzimidazole); L² = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(2-ethylbenzimidazole), pmb = p-methoxybenzoate anion; Ac = acetate anion; 4-aba = 4-aminobenzoate anion; 4-ts = p-toluenesulfonate anion; epes = N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonate) anion; 1,5-nds = 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate anion], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The L¹ and L² ligands in compounds 1–7 act as bridging ligands, linking metal ions into chain structures. The chains in compounds 3, 4 and 6 interlace with each other by hydrogen bonds to generate 3D supramolecular structures. In compound 5, π–π interactions between adjacent L¹ ligands hold the chains to a supramolecular layer. In compound 7, the sulfonate anions act as counterions in the framework. The thermal stabilities of 3, 6 and 7, and the luminescent properties for 5–7 in the solid states are also discussed.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of novel zinc(II) complexes obtained by reactions of zinc(II) malonate with flexible multidentate ligands

Complex [Zn₂(bimb)₂(mal)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (1) (mal=⁻OCOCH₂COO⁻) was obtained by reaction of bidentate ligand 4,4′-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl (bimb) with zinc(II) salt of malonate, while the reaction of the same metal salt with 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (titmb) gives another novel complex [Zn₂(titmb)₂(mal)][mal]·12H₂O (2). The structures of these complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. The results revealed that 1 is a cyclic dinuclear complex in which the malonate groups act as terminators and prevent further aggregation, while 2 is a 2D honeycomb network in which each independent 2D sheet contains two sub-layers bridged by the malonate groups and complex 2 also contains free malonate as a counteranion connected to the 2D layer by C-H?O hydrogen bonds. The entirely different structure and topology of complexes 1 and 2, on the one hand, indicates that the nature of organic ligands affected the structures of assemblies greatly, and on the other, reveals the versatility of the malonate which can act as a bridging and/or blocking ligand.     

Cobalt(II) and silver(I) coordination polymers containing flexible bis (benzimidazol-1-yl)hexane ligands: synthesis,crystal structures,sensing and photocatalytic properties

Two new ternary metal coordination polymers (CPs), namely, {[Co₂(BTC)(L)]·0.25H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and [Ag(HIPA)(L)]_n ( 2 ) (H₄BTC = 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, H₂IPA = isophthalic acid, L = 1,6-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-yl)hexane) were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). 1 exhibits unusual 2D network with point symbol {4³.6³}₂{4⁶.6⁶.7³}. 2 possesses 1D chain structure which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular network via O–H···O hydrogen-bonding and π–π stacking interactions. 1 and 2 can selectively detect benzaldehyde (BZH), Fe³⁺ (just 1 ) and Cr₂O₇²⁻ (just 2 ) ions in water via the luminescence quenching process. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of two CPs were evaluated for degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) under UV irradiation.     

Effect of solvent on the construction of Co(II) coordination polymers containing a semi-rigid bis(benzimidazole) derivative: syntheses,structures, and properties

Two Co(II) coordination polymers, [CoL(npa)]·2H₂O (1) and [CoL(Hnpa)₂] (2) (L = 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole-1-yl)benzene, H₂npa = 5-nitroisophthalic acid), have been synthesized in different solvent systems and characterized by Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 was synthesized under solvothermal conditions with DMF as solvent and had a pair of L ligands adopting a μ₂-bridging mode and connecting two Co²⁺ cations to generate a 26-membered Co₂L₂ loop. The npa^2? link adjacent Co₂L₂ loops via a bis(monodentate) bridging mode to create a 1-D channel-like chain structure. Compound 2 was obtained under hydrothermal conditions, and the carboxylate of the monodeprotonated Hnpa^? adopt a μ₁-η^0?:?η¹ coordination to connect adjacent Co²⁺ cations into a 2-D polymeric layer. The μ₂-bridging L ligands connect adjacent 2-D [Co(Hnpa)]_n polymeric layers into a 3-D NaCl-like framework. The Co²⁺ cations and the L ligands in compounds 1 and 2 exhibit different coordination geometries and conformations. Effects of solvents on the construction of Co(II) coordination polymers were investigated. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of carbon paste electrodes containing 1 and 2 and the thermal stabilities of 1 and 2 were investigated.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of organoindium(III) 1-D coordination polymers with bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane dioxides

Abstract

Bromomethyl-dibromo-indium(III), Br₂InCH₂Br, obtained from indium monobromide and methylene dibromide, reacts with hard and soft donor ligands to afford the corresponding indium(III) organometallic complexes. In this work, we investigated the conditions to prepare adducts of Br₂InCH₂Br using bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane dioxides acting as hard ligands. We report here the synthesis and crystal structures of two 1-D coordination polymers with the hard donor ligands Ph₂P(O)(CH₂)_mP(O)Ph₂ (m = 2, dppeO₂ and m = 6, dpphO₂). Compounds 1 and 2 with formulas [Br₂In(CH₂Br)(dppeO₂)]_n (1) and [Br₂In(CH₂Br)(dpphO₂)]_n (2) were characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis. We also obtained an ionic indium(III) compound with dppeO₂ acting as a chelating ligand with formula [InBr₂(dppeO₂)₂][InBr₃(CH₂Br)] (3). The crystal structures were determined for 1–3 using single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The geometry around the In(III) can be described as a trigonal bipyramid in 1 and 2, and the chains were packed onto the plane giving layers that are stabilized mainly by intermolecular interactions. Compound 3 has a square bipyramidal In(III) cation with formula [Br₂L₂In]⁺ and tetrahedral organoindium(III) anion with formula [Br₃InCH₂Br]^–. Hirshfeld surface analysis employing 2-D fingerprint plots have been used to analyze intramolecular and intermolecular interactions present in the solid state of the structures.     

Syntheses,structures, and fluorescent properties of two uranium coordination polymers with carboxylic acids

Two U(VI)-containing coordination polymers, (UO₂)₂O₂(Suc)(2,2′-bipy)₂ (1) and UO₂(BC)₂(DMF) (2) (2,2′-bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine, H₂Suc?=?succinic acid, HBC?=?benzoic acid, DMF?=?N,N-dimethylformamide), have been synthesized and characterized via elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses show that 1 is a 1-D chain coordination polymer in which U(VI) ions are connected by succinic acid ligand and the 1-D chain is connected into a 3-D supramolecular network by C?H···O hydrogen bonds between carbon of 2,2′-bipyridine and uranyl oxygen. For 2, monomeric entities are further assembled into a 1-D supramolecular network by C–H···O hydrogen bonds between carbon of DMF molecule and coordinated carboxylate oxygen. Thermogravimetric analyses and photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 are discussed.     

Syntheses,structures, and fluorescent properties of four Co(II) coordination polymers based on 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid and structurally related bis(benzimidazole) ligands

Four cobalt(II) coordination polymers, {[Co(HO-BDC)(bbp)]}_n (1), {[Co(HO-BDC)(bmbp)₂]·(H₂O)₂}_n (2), {[Co(HO-BDC)(bbb)]}_n (3), and {[Co₂(HO-BDC)₂(bmbb)₂]·(H₂O)₃}_n (4), where HO-H₂BDC?=?5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, bbp = 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)propane, bmbp = 1,3-bis(2-methyl-benzimidazol-1-yl)propane, bbb = 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)butane, and bmbb = 1,4-bis(2-methyl-benzimidazol-1-yl)butane, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses, and fluorescence properties. Compounds 1 and 3 are 4-connected 2-D networks with (4⁴·6²) topology. Compound 2 is a 1-D chain, while 4 features a 1-D ladder. These 1-D and 2-D complexes are further connected by hydrogen bonds to form 3-D supramolecular architectures. Complexes 1–4 showed very strong yellow luminescence emission.     

Synthesis,characterisation and crystal structures of three trinuclear cadmium(II) complexes with multidentate Schiff base ligands

Three novel Schiff base Cd(II) trimeric complexes, [Cd₃(L¹)₂(SCN)₂(CF₃COO)₂] (1), [Cd₃(L¹)₂(SCN)₂(HCONMe₂)] (2) and [Cd₃(L²)₂{N(CN)₂}₂] (3) have been prepared from two different symmetrical Schiff bases H₂L¹ and H₂L² (where H₂L¹ = N¹,N³-bis(salicylideneimino)diethylenetriamine, a potentially pentadentate Schiff base with a N₃O₂ donor set, and H₂L² = N¹,N³-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimino)diethylenetriamine, a potentially heptadentate Schiff base with a N₃O₄ donor set). All the complexes have been synthesised under similar synthetic procedures and their crystal structures have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The ligands and their metal complexes have been characterised by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Among the three complexes, 1 and 3 are linear whereas 2 is a cyclic trimer. In 1 and 3, all the doubly phenoxo bridged Cd(II) metal centres are in a distorted octahedral environment. In complex 2, two of the three Cd(II) centres reside in a distorted octahedral environment and the remaining one enjoys a monocapped octahedral geometry. Altogether the variety in the bridging mode of two new salen-type ligands has been established through these complexes.