Three isotypic polymeric complexes with rare earth cations,but‐2‐enoate anions and 4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine and 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine bridging ligands

Three isotypic rare earth complexes, catena‐poly[[aquabis(but‐2‐enoato‐κ²O,O′)yttrium(III)]‐bis(μ‐but‐2‐enoato)‐κ³O,O′:O;κ³O:O,O′‐[aquabis(but‐2‐enoato‐κ²O,O′)yttrium(III)]‐μ‐4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Y₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)₂], the gadolinium(III) analogue, [Gd₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)₂], and the gadolinium(III) analogue with a 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine bridging ligand, [Gd₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)₂], are one‐dimensional coordination polymers made up of centrosymmetric dinuclear [M(but‐2‐enoato)₃(H₂O)]₂ units (M = rare earth), further bridged by centrosymmetric 4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine or 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine spacers into sets of chains parallel to the [20] direction. There are intra‐chain and inter‐chain hydrogen bonds in the structures, the former providing cohesion of the linear arrays and the latter promoting the formation of broad planes parallel to (010).     

A new two‐dimensional CoII coordination polymer based on bis[4‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl] ether and biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyldicarboxylic acid: synthesis,crystal structure and photocatalytic degradation activity

A novel two‐dimensional Co^II coordination framework, namely poly[(μ₂‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyldicarboxylato‐κ²O⁴:O^4′){μ₂‐bis[4‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl] ether‐κ²N³:N^3′}cobalt(II)], [Co(C₁₄H₈O₄)(C₂₀H₁₈N₄O)]_n, has been prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermal analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals that the compound has an achiral two‐dimensional layered structure based on opposite‐handed helical chains. In addition, it exhibits significant photocatalytic degradation activity for the degradation of methylene blue.     

A two‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer based on 2,4′‐oxybis(benzoate) and 4,4′‐bipyridine

The reaction of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O with 2,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) and 4,4′‐bipyridine under hydrothermal conditions produced a new mixed‐ligand two‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer, namely poly[[(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N ,N ′)[μ‐2,4′‐oxybis(benzoato)‐κ⁴O ²,O ^2′:O ⁴,O ^4′]copper(II)] monohydrate], {[Cu(C₁₄H₈O₅)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]·H₂O}_n , which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The X‐ray diffraction crystal structure analysis reveals that the Cu^II ions are connected to form a two‐dimensional wave‐like network through 4,4′‐bipyridine and 2,4′‐oxybis(benzoate) ligands. The two‐dimensional layers are expanded into a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure through intermolecular O—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that the complex shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent Cu^II ions.     

One‐pot concomitant preparation of two copper(II) coordination polymers with different configurations of bridging bithiophene ligands

By employing the conjugated bithiophene ligand 5,5′‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiophene (bibp), which can exhibit trans and cis conformations, two different Cu^II coordination polymers, namely, poly[[μ‐5,5′‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiophene‐κ²N:N′](μ₂‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato‐κ²O:O′)copper(II)], [Cu(C₁₄H₈O₅)(C₁₄H₁₀N₄S₂)]_n or [Cu(bibp)(oba)]_n, (I), and catena‐poly[μ‐aqua‐bis[μ‐5,5′‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐2,2′‐bithiophene‐κ²N:N′]bis(μ₃‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)‐κ³O:O′:O′′;κ⁴O:O′,O′′:O′‐dicopper(II)], [Cu₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(C₁₄H₁₀N₄S₂)(H₂O)]_n or [Cu₂(bibp)(oba)₂(H₂O)]_n, (II), have been prepared through one‐pot concomitant crystallization and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that the most interesting aspect of the structure is the existence of sole trans and cis conformations of the bibp ligand in a single net of (I) and (II), respectively. Compound (I) displays a threefold interpenetrating three‐dimensional framework with a 4‐connected {6⁵.8} cds topology, whereas (II) features a one‐dimensional chain structure. In the crystal of (II), the polymeric chains are further extended through C—H…O hydrogen bonds and C—H…π interactions into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. In addition, strong intramolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds formed between the bridging water molecules and the carboxylate O atoms improve the stability of the framework of (II). Furthermore, solid‐state UV–Vis spectroscopy experiments show that compounds (I) and (II) exhibit optical band gaps which are characteristic for optical semiconductors, with values of 2.70 and 2.26 eV, respectively.     

Two ZnII coordination complexes assembled by trithiocyanuric acid and two different N‐donor auxiliary ligands

The dipyridyl‐type building blocks 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (3‐bpt) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy) have been used to assemble with Zn^II in the presence of trithiocyanuric acid (ttcH₃) to afford two coordination compounds, namely bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κN³]bis(trithiocyanurato‐κ²N,S)zinc(II), [Zn(C₃H₂N₃S₃)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂]·2H₂O, (1), and catena‐poly[[[bis(trithiocyanurato‐κ²N,S)zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′] 4,4′‐bipyridine monosolvate], {[Zn₂(C₃H₂N₃S₃)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃]·C₁₀H₈N₂}_n, (2). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis indicates that complex (1) is a mononuclear structure, while complex (2) presents a one‐dimensional chain coordination motif. In both complexes, the central Zn^II cation adopts an octahedral geometry, coordinated by four N‐ and two S‐donor atoms. Notably, trithiocyanurate (ttcH₂⁻) adopts the same bidentate chelating coordination mode in each complex and exists in the thione tautomeric form. The 3‐bpt co‐ligand in (1) adopts a monodentate coordination mode and serves as a terminal pendant ligand, whereas the 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy) ligand in (2) adopts a bidentate–bridging coordination mode. The different coordination characters of the different N‐donor auxiliary ligands lead to structural diversity for complexes (1) and (2). Further analysis indicates that the resultant three‐dimensional supramolecular networks for (1) and (2) arise through intermolecular N—H...S and N—H...N hydrogen bonds. Both complexes have been further characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses.     

A three‐dimensional ZnII coordination network based on 5,5′‐methylenebis(2,4,6‐trimethylisophthalic acid) and 2,7‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)fluorene: synthesis,structure and luminescence properties

In recent years, coordination polymers constructed from multidentate carboxylate ligands and N‐containing ligands have attracted much attention since these ligands can adopt a rich variety of coordination modes which can lead to crystalline products with intriguing structures and interesting properties. A new coordination polymer, namely poly[[diaqua[μ‐2,7‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)fluorene‐κ²N³:N^3′][μ‐5,5′‐methylenebis(3‐carboxy‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoato)‐κ²O¹:O^1′]zinc(II)] hemihydrate], {[Zn(C₂₃H₂₂O₈)(C₁₉H₁₄N₄)(H₂O)₂]·0.5H₂O}_n, 1 , was prepared by the self‐assembly of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with 5,5′‐methylenebis(2,4,6‐trimethylisophthalic acid) (H₄BTMIPA) and 2,7‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)fluorene (BIF) under solvothermal conditions. The structure of 1 was determined by elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Each Zn^II ion is six‐coordinated by two O atoms from two H₂BTMIPA^2? ligands, by two N atoms from two BIF ligands and by two water molecules, forming a distorted octahedral ZnN₂O₄ coordination geometry. Adjacent Zn^II ions are linked by H₂BTMIPA^2? ligands and BIF ligands, leading to the formation of a two‐dimensional (2D) (4,4)‐ sql network, and intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions connect the 2D layer structure into the three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure. Each 2D layer contains two kinds of helices with the same direction, which are opposite in adjacent layers. The luminescence properties of complex 1 in the solid state have also been investigated.     

One‐ and two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymers incorporating organophosphinate ligands

Reaction of cadmium nitrate with diphenylphosphinic acid in dimethylformamide solvent yielded the one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[[bis(dimethylformamide‐κO)cadmium(II)]‐bis(μ‐diphenylphosphinato‐κ²O:O′)], [Cd(C₁₂H₁₀O₂P)₂(C₃H₇NO)₂]_n, (I). Addition of 4,4′‐bipyridine to the synthesis afforded a two‐dimensional extended structure, poly[[(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′)bis(μ‐diphenylphosphinato‐κ²O:O′)cadmium(II)] dimethylformamide monosolvate], {[Cd(C₁₂H₁₀O₂P)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]·C₃H₇NO}_n, (II). In (II), the 4,4′‐bipyridine molecules link the Cd^II centers in the crystallographic a direction, while the phosphinate ligands link the Cd^II centers in the crystallographic b direction to complete a two‐dimensional sheet structure. Consideration of additional π–π interactions of the phenyl rings in (II) produces a three‐dimensional structure with channels that encapsulate dimethylformamide molecules as solvent of crystallization. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and FT–IR analysis.     

A threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional zinc(II) supramolecular architecture based on 3‐nitrobenzoic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine

With regard to crystal engineering, building block or modular assembly methodologies have shown great success in the design and construction of metal–organic coordination polymers. The critical factor for the construction of coordination polymers is the rational choice of the organic building blocks and the metal centre. The reaction of Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O (OAc is acetate) with 3‐nitrobenzoic acid (HNBA) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) under hydrothermal conditions produced a two‐dimensional zinc(II) supramolecular architecture, catena‐poly[[bis(3‐nitrobenzoato‐κ²O,O′)zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Zn(C₇H₄NO₄)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n or [Zn(NBA)₂(4,4′‐bipy)]_n, which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The Zn^II ions are connected by the 4,4′‐bipy ligands to form a one‐dimensional zigzag chain and the chains are decorated with anionic NBA ligands which interact further through aromatic π–π stacking interactions, expanding the structure into a threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The solid‐state fluorescence analysis indicates a slight blue shift compared with pure 4,4′‐bipyridine and HNBA.     

Synthesis,structure and selective luminescence sensing for iron(III) ions of a three‐dimensional zinc(II) (4,6)‐connected coordination network

Coordination polymers constructed from conjugated organic ligands and metal ions with a d¹⁰ electronic configuration exhibit intriguing properties for chemical sensing and photochemistry. A Zn^II‐based coordination polymer, namely poly[aqua(μ₆‐biphenyl‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato)(μ₂‐4,4′‐bipyridine)dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n or [Zn₂(m,m‐bpta)(4,4′‐bipy)(H₂O)₂]_n, was synthesized from a mixture of biphenyl‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid [H₄(m,m‐bpta)], 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under solvothermal conditions. The title complex has been structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, and features a μ₆‐coordination mode. The Zn^II ions adopt square‐pyramidal geometries and are bridged by two syn–syn carboxylate groups to form [Zn₂(COO)₂] secondary buildding units (SBUs). The SBUs are crosslinked by (m,m‐bpta)^4? ligands to produce a two‐dimensional grid‐like layer that exhibits a stair‐like structure along the a axis. Adjacent layers are linked by 4,4′‐bipy ligands to form a three‐dimensional network with a {4⁴.6¹⁰.8}{4⁴.6²} topology. In the solid state, the complex displays a strong photoluminescence and an excellent solvent stability. In addition, the luminescence sensing results indicate a highly selective and sensitive sensing for Fe³⁺ ions.     

Two cobalt(II) supramolecular isomers based on N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)oxalamide induced by the molecular orientation of lattice DMF molecules

Supramolecular isomerism for coordination networks refers to the existence of different architectures having the same building blocks and identical stoichiometries. For a given building block, different arrangements can lead to the formation of a series of supramolecular isomers. Two one‐dimensional Co^II coordination polymers based on N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)oxalamide (BPO), both catena‐poly[[[dichloridocobalt(II)]‐bis[μ‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)oxalamide‐κ²N:N′]] dimethylformamide disolvate], {[CoCl₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄O₂)₂]·2C₃H₇NO}_n, have been assembled by the solvothermal method. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that the two compounds are supramolecular isomers, the isomerism being induced by the orientation of the dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules in the crystal lattice.     

One‐dimensional CuII coordination polymers containing C2h‐symmetric 1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylate linkers

Two new one‐dimensional Cu^II coordination polymers (CPs) containing the C_2h‐symmetric terphenyl‐based dicarboxylate linker 1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylate (3,3′‐TPDC), namely catena‐poly[[bis(dimethylamine‐κN)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O,O′:O′′:O′′′] monohydrate], {[Cu(C₂₀H₁₂O₄)(C₂H₇N)₂]·H₂O}_n, (I), and catena‐poly[[aquabis(dimethylamine‐κN)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O³:O^3′] monohydrate], {[Cu(C₂₀H₁₂O₄)(C₂H₇N)₂(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, (II), were both obtained from two different methods of preparation: one reaction was performed in the presence of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a potential pillar ligand and the other was carried out in the absence of the DABCO pillar. Both reactions afforded crystals of different colours, i.e. violet plates for (I) and blue needles for (II), both of which were analysed by X‐ray crystallography. The 3,3′‐TPDC bridging ligands coordinate the Cu^II ions in asymmetric chelating modes in (I) and in monodenate binding modes in (II), forming one‐dimensional chains in each case. Both coordination polymers contain two coordinated dimethylamine ligands in mutually trans positions, and there is an additional aqua ligand in (II). The solvent water molecules are involved in hydrogen bonds between the one‐dimensional coordination polymer chains, forming a two‐dimensional network in (I) and a three‐dimensional network in (II).     

Two complexes of PtIV and AuIII with 2,2′‐dipyridylamine and 2,2′‐dipyridylaminide ligands

Two noble metal complexes involving ancillary chloride ligands and chelating 2,2′‐bipyridylamine (Hdpa) or its deprotonated derivative (dpa), namely [bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)amine]tetrachloridoplatinum(IV), [PtCl₄(C₁₀H₉N₃)], and [bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)aminido]dichloridogold(III), [AuCl₂(C₁₀H₈N₃)], are presented and structurally characterized. The metal atom in the former has a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment, formed by four chloride ligands and two pyridyl N atoms of Hdpa, while the metal atom in the latter has a slightly distorted square‐planar coordination environment, formed by two chloride ligands and two pyridyl N atoms of dpa. The difference in conjugation between the pyridine rings in normal and deprotonated 2,2′‐dipyridylamine is discussed on the basis of the structural features of these complexes. The influence of weak interactions on the supramolecular structures of the complexes, providing one‐dimensional chains of [PtCl₄(C₁₀H₉N₃)] and dimers of [AuCl₂(C₁₀H₈N₃)], are discussed.     

Cobalt(II) chloride complexes with 1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole featuring first‐ and second‐sphere coordination of the ligand

In catena‐poly[[dichloridocobalt(II)]‐μ‐(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole‐κ²N²:N^2′)], [CoCl₂(C₈H₁₀N₄)]_n, (1), two independent bipyrazole ligands (Me₂bpz) are situated across centres of inversion and in tetraaquabis(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole‐κN²)cobalt(II) dichloride–1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole–water (1/2/2), [Co(C₈H₁₀N₄)₂(H₂O)₄]Cl₂·2C₈H₁₀N₄·2H₂O, (2), the Co²⁺ cation lies on an inversion centre and two noncoordinated Me₂bpz molecules are also situated across centres of inversion. The compounds are the first complexes involving N,N′‐disubstituted 4,4′‐bipyrazole tectons. They reveal a relatively poor coordination ability of the ligand, resulting in a Co–pyrazole coordination ratio of only 1:2. Compound (1) adopts a zigzag chain structure with bitopic Me₂bpz links between tetrahedral Co^II ions. Interchain interactions occur by means of very weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bonding. Complex (2) comprises discrete octahedral trans‐[Co(Me₂bpz)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations formed by monodentate Me₂bpz ligands. Two equivalents of additional noncoordinated Me₂bpz tectons are important as `second‐sphere ligands' connecting the cations by means of relatively strong O—H...N hydrogen bonding with generation of doubly interpenetrated pcu (α‐Po) frameworks. Noncoordinated chloride anions and solvent water molecules afford hydrogen‐bonded [(Cl⁻)₂(H₂O)₂] rhombs, which establish topological links between the above frameworks, producing a rare eight‐coordinated uninodal net of {4²⁴.5.6³} ( ilc ) topology.     

A cyanide‐bridged FeIII–MnII heterobimetallic one‐dimensional coordination polymer: synthesis,crystal structure,experimental and theoretical magnetism investigation

A new cyanide‐bridged Fe^III–Mn^II heterobimetallic coordination polymer (CP), namely catena‐poly[[[N,N′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxamidato)‐κ⁴N,N′,N′′,N′′′]iron(III)]‐μ‐cyanido‐κ²C:N‐[bis(4,4′‐bipyridine‐κN)bis(methanol‐κO)manganese(II)]‐μ‐cyanido‐κ²N:C], {[FeMn(C₁₈H₁₂N₄O₂)(CN)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂(CH₃OH)₂]ClO₄}_n, ( 1 ), was prepared by the self‐assembly of the trans‐dicyanidoiron(III)‐containing building block [Fe(bpb)(CN)₂]^? [bpb^2? = N,N′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis(pyridine‐2‐carboxamidate)], [Mn(ClO₄)₂]·6H₂O and 4,4′‐bipyridine, and was structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that CP 1 possesses a cationic linear chain structure consisting of alternating cyanide‐bridged Fe–Mn units, with free perchlorate as the charge‐balancing anion, which can be further extended into a two‐dimensional supramolecular sheet structure via inter‐chain π–π interactions between the 4,4′‐bipyridine ligands. Within the chain, each Mn^II ion is six‐coordinated by an N₆ unit and is involved in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Investigation of the magnetic properties of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling between the cyanide‐bridged Fe^III and Mn^II ions. A best fit of the magnetic susceptibility based on the one‐dimensional alternating chain model leads to the magnetic coupling constants J₁ = ?1.35 and J₂ = ?1.05 cm^?1, and the antiferromagnetic coupling was further confirmed by spin Hamiltonian‐based density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations.     

Effect of pH on the charge‐assisted hydrogen‐bonded assembly of the anionic [Cu(oxalate)2]2− building unit and N,N′‐ditopic cations

By the solvothermal reaction under acidic conditions of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, Na₂C₂O₄ and the N,N′‐ditopic organic coligands 1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)piperazine (ppz) and 1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethane (bpa), two novel anionic copper(II) coordination compounds were obtained, namely the one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[4‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl)piperazin‐1‐ium [[(oxalato‐κ²O¹,O²)copper(II)]‐μ‐oxalato‐κ³O¹,O²:O^1′]], {(C₉H₁₅N₃)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂)]}_n or {(H₂ppz)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂]}_n, (I), and the discrete ionic complex 4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium bis(oxalato‐κ²O¹,O²)copper(II), (C₁₂H₁₄N₂)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂] or (H₂bpa)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂], (II). The products were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses and UV and IR spectroscopic techniques. The [Cu(C₂O₄)₂]²⁻ units for (I) and (II) are stabilized by H₂ppz²⁺ and H₂bpa²⁺ cations, respectively, via charge‐assisted hydrogen bonds. Also, a study of the pH‐controlled synthesis of this system shows that (I) was obtained at pH values of 2–4. When using bpa, a two‐dimensional square‐grid network of [Cu(C₂O₄)(bpa)]_n was obtained at a pH of 4. This indicates that the pH of the reaction also plays a key role in the structural assembly and coordination abilities of oxalate and N,N′‐ditopic coligands.     

A three‐dimensional ZnII coordination polymer constructed from 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylate and 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene ligands exhibiting photoluminescence

Ligands based on polycarboxylic acids are excellent building blocks for the construction of coordination polymers; they may bind to a variety of metal ions and form clusters, as well as extended chain or network structures. Among these building blocks, biphenyltetracarboxylic acids (H₄bpta) with C ₂ symmetry have recently attracted attention because of their variable bridging and multidentate chelating modes. The new luminescent three‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[(μ₅‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylato)bis[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene]dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)]_n , was synthesized solvothermally and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure contains two crystallographically independent Zn^II cations. Both metal cations are located on twofold axes and display distorted tetrahedral coordination geometries. Neighbouring Zn^II centres are bridged by carboxylate groups in the syn –anti mode to form one‐dimensional chains. Adjacent chains are linked through 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylate and 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene ligands to form a three‐dimensional network. In the solid state, the compound exhibits blue photoluminescence and represents a promising candidate for a thermally stable and solvent‐resistant blue fluorescent material.     

3D semiconducting Co–MOFs based on 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid and imidazole derivatives: syntheses and crystal structures

Two three‐dimensional cobalt‐based metal–organic frameworks with 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalic acid (H₂HIPA), namely poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′][μ₂‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalato‐κ²O¹:O³]cobalt(II)], [Co(C₉H₆O₅)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n ( 1 ), and poly[tris[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]bis[μ₃‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalato‐κ²O¹:O³:O⁵]dicobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₉H₆O₅)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)₃]_n ( 2 ), were synthesized under similar hydrothermal conditions. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that 5‐(hydroxymethyl)isophthalate (HIPA^2?) and 1,4‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,4‐BMIB) are simple linkers connecting cobalt centres to build a fourfold interpenetration dia framework in complex 1 . However, complex 2 is a pillared‐layer framework with a (3,6)‐connected network constructed by 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,4‐DIB) linkers, 3‐connected HIPA^2? ligands and 6‐connected Co^II centres. The above significant structural differences can be ascribed to the introduction of the different auxiliary N‐donor ligands. Moreover, UV–Vis spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky measurements confirmed that complexes 1 and 2 are typical n‐type semiconductors.     

Tuning of crystallization method and ligand conformation to give a mononuclear compound or two‐dimensional SCO coordination polymer based on a new semi‐rigid V‐shaped bis‐pyridyl bis‐amide ligand

With the new semi‐rigid V‐shaped bidentate pyridyl amide compound 5‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide (L) as an auxiliary ligand and the Fe^II ion as the metal centre, one mononuclear complex, bis(methanol‐κO)bis[5‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide‐κN]bis(thiocyanato‐κN)iron(II), [Fe(SCN)₂(C₁₉H₁₆N₄O₂)₂(CH₃OH)₂] ( 1 ), and one two‐dimensional coordination polymer, catena‐poly[[[bis(thiocyanato‐κN)iron(II)]‐bis[μ‐5‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide‐κ²N:N′]] methanol disolvate dihydrate], {[Fe(SCN)₂(C₁₉H₁₆N₄O₂)₂]·2CH₃OH·2H₂O}_n ( 2 ), were prepared by slow evaporation and H‐tube diffusion methods, respectively, indicating the effect of the method of crystallization on the structure type of the target product. Both complexes have been structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that L functions as a monodentate ligand in mononuclear 1 , while it coordinates in a bidentate manner to two independent Fe(SCN)₂ units in complex 2 , with a different conformation from that in 1 and the ligands point in two almost orthogonal directions, therefore leading to a two‐dimensional grid‐like network. Investigation of the magnetic properties reveals the always high‐spin state of the Fe^II centre over the whole temperature range in 1 and a gradual thermally‐induced incomplete spin crossover (SCO) behaviour below 150 K in 2 , demonstrating the influence of the different coordination fields on the spin properties of the metal ions. The current results provide useful information for the rational design of functional complexes with different structure dimensionalities by employing different conformations of the ligand and different crystallization methods.     

Masking of Lewis acidity trends in the solid‐state structures of trichlorido‐ and tribromido(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ3N,N′,N′′)gallium(III)

The molecular structures of trichlorido(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ³N,N′,N′′)gallium(III), [GaCl₃(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)], and tribromido(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ³N,N′,N′′)gallium(III), [GaBr₃(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)], are isostructural, with the Ga^III atom displaying an octahedral geometry. It is shown that the Ga—N distances in the two complexes are the same within experimental error, in contrast to expected bond lengthening in the bromide complex due to the lower Lewis acidity of GaBr₃. Thus, masking of the Lewis acidity trends in the solid state is observed not only for complexes of group 13 metal halides with monodentate ligands but for complexes with the polydentate 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine donor as well.     

Oxidative degradation of the organometallic iron(II) complex [Fe{bis[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl]methane}(MeCN)(PMe3)](PF6)2: structure of the ligand decomposition product trapped via coordination to iron(II)

Iron is of interest as a catalyst because of its established use in the Haber–Bosch process and because of its high abundance and low toxicity. Nitrogen‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are important ligands in homogeneous catalysis and iron–NHC complexes have attracted increasing attention in recent years but still face problems in terms of stability under oxidative conditions. The structure of the iron(II) complex [1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,2‐bi(1H‐imidazole)‐κN³][3,3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1,1′‐methanediylbi(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl‐κC²)](trimethylphosphane‐κP)iron(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Fe(C₁₇H₁₄N₆)(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)(C₃H₉P)](PF₆)₂, features coordination by an organic decomposition product of a tetradentate NHC ligand in an axial position. The decomposition product, a C—C‐coupled biimidazole, is trapped by coordination to still‐intact iron(II) complexes. Insights into the structural features of the organic decomposition products might help to improve the stability of oxidation catalysts under harsh conditions.