Dinuclear Complexes of Copper(I) with Crown Ether‐containing N‐Thiophosphorylated Bis‐thioureas and 2,2′‐Bipyridine or 1,10‐Phenanthroline: Synthesis,Characterization, and Picrate Extraction Properties

Reaction of O,O′‐diisopropylthiophosphoric acid isothiocyanate (iPrO)₂P(S)NCS with 1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, 1,7‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, or 1,7‐diaza‐15‐crown‐5 leads to the N‐thiophosphorylated bis‐thioureas N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ( H₂L^I ), N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,7‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ( H₂L^II ) and N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,7‐diaza‐15‐crown‐5 ( H₂L^III ). Reaction of the potassium salts of H₂L^I–III with a mixture of CuI and 2,2′‐bipyridine ( bpy ) or 1,10‐phenanthroline ( phen ) in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to the dinuclear complexes [Cu₂(bpy)₂L^I–III] and [Cu₂(phen)₂L^I–III] . The structures of these compounds were investigated by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of H₂L^I and [Cu₂(phen)₂L^I] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Extraction capacities of the obtained compounds in comparison to the related compounds 1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, N,N′‐bis[C(=CMe₂)CH₂P(O)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(O)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 towards the picrate salts LiPic, NaPic, KPic. and NH₄Pic were also studied.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on DNA‐Binding and Spectral Properties of ‘Light Switch’ Complexes [Ru(L)2(ppn)]2+ (L=2,2′‐Bipyridine and 1,10‐Phenanthroline; ppn=Pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13‐diamine)

The ligand pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13‐diamine (ppn) and its Ru^II complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ppn)]²⁺ ( 1 ; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(ppn)]²⁺ ( 2 ; phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray MS, ¹H‐NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. The DNA‐binding behaviors of 1 and 2 were studied by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that both complexes strongly bind to calf‐thymus DNA in an intercalative mode, with DNA‐binding constants K_b of (1.7±0.4)?10⁶ M ^?1 and (2.6±0.2)?10⁶ M ^?1, respectively. The complexes 1 and 2 exhibit excellent DNA‐‘light switch’ performances, i.e., they do not (or extremely weakly) show luminescence in aqueous solution at room temperature but are strongly luminescent in the presence of DNA. In particular, the experimental results suggest that the ancillary ligands bpy and phen not only have a significant effect on the DNA‐binding affinities of 1 and 2 but also have a certain effect on their spectral properties. [Ru(phen)₂(ppn)]²⁺( 2 ) might be developed into a very prospective DNA‐‘light switch’ complex. To explain the DNA‐binding and spectral properties of 1 and 2 , theoretical calculations were also carried out applying the DFT/TDDFT method.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of a One—Dimen—sional Copper（Ⅰ） Halide Cluster with 1,10—Phenanthroline

The title compound Cu₂Cl₂phen (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, C₁₂H₈N₂) 1 was synthesized from CuCl₂·2H₂O, CuCl and phen by hydrothermal method and its structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray analysis. With phen, CuG forms one‐dimensional chains, which comprise two zigzag chains based on fused Cu‐X units and connected via covalent bonds. The compound contains two crystallographically unique monovalent copper ions, Cu(1) and Cu(2). The Cu(1) atom in the tetrahedral site, is coordinated to two bridging Cl^? and two N atoms in phen. The Cu(2) atom with a slightly distorted triangular planar geometry, is coordinated to three Cl^?. The compound 1 was crystallized in monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a = 0.37338(4), b = 1.9510(2), c = 1.68008(19) nm, β = 95.605 (3)°, R = 0.0458, and was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum and TGA analysis.     

Complexes of Cu2(μ‐OAc)4(H2O)2 with 1,10‐Phenanthroline and Comparison with those of 2,2′‐Bipyridine. Crystal Structure of the Dimer [Cu(OAc)2(phen)](μ‐H2O)

The two complexes of composition Cu₂(OAc)₄(phen)(H₂O)₂ ( 1 ) andCu₂(OAc)₄(phen)₂(H₂O) ( 2 ) have been synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis and IR and electronic spectroscopies. Compound 2 has the structure of a dimer with a phenanthroline molecule and two monodentate acetate groups coordinated to each copper atom and a water molecule as the only bridging ligand between them. Each copper atom has a distorted square‐planar pyramidal coordination, determined by two oxygen atoms at 1.94(3) and 1.959(3) Å, two nitrogen atoms at 2.023(4) Å and the oxygen atom of the bridging water molecule at 2.289(2) Å. The distance between the two copper atoms is of 4.29 Å and the angle Cu(1)‐O(3)‐Cu(1A) 139.2(2)°. The water molecule is involved in two intramolecular hydrogen bonds with non coordinated oxygen atoms. The distance between the molecules of phenanthroline is 3.75 Å. Magnetic and EPR results for Cu₂(OAc)₄(phen)(H₂O)₂ ( 1 ), Cu₂(OAc)₄(phen)₂(H₂O) ( 2 ), Cu₂(OAc)₄(bipy) ( 3 ) and Cu₂(OAc)₄(bipy)₂(H₂O)₂ ( 4 ) have been analysed and compared. For 1 and 3 an antiferromagnetic dimer unit [Cu₂(μ‐OAc)₄] with 2J = ?325 and ?292 cm^?1, respectively, and other two copper atoms without significant magnetic interaction are present. Triplet signals are detected in the EPR spectra. In 2 and 4 there is no practically magnetic exchange and the orthorhombic signals are observed in the EPR spectra.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures and Fluorescent Properties of Two 2,2′‐Biquinoline‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate‐based Cadmium(II) and Cobalt(II) Complexes

Two metal‐organic coordination polymers with one‐dimensional infinite chain motif, [Cd(bqdc)(phen)₂]_n ( 1 ) and [Co(bqdc)(phen)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ) (H₂bqdc = 2,2′‐biquinoline‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline), have been synthesized under similar solv/hydrothermal conditions and fully structural characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Their thermal stability and photoluminescence properties were further investigated by TG‐DTA and fluorescence spectra. In both complexes, the adjacent metal ions (Cd^II for 1 and Co^II for 2 ) are linked together by dicarboxylate groups of bqdc dianions in chelating bidentate and monodentate modes, respectively, generating a zigzag chain for 1 and linear chain for 2 . The relatively higher thermal stability up to 324 °C for 1 and strong fluorescence emissions jointly suggest that they are good candidates for luminescent materials.     

Five Coordinated Zinc(II) and Tris‐Chelate Cadmium(II) Complexes with 2,2′‐Diamino‐5,5′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bithiazole – Syntheses,Spectroscopic Characterization,and Crystal Structure

The new synthesized ligand (DADMBTZ = 2,2′‐diamino‐5,5′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bithiazole), which is mentioned in this text, is used for preparing the two new complexes [Zn(DADMBTZ)₃](ClO₄)₂. 0.8MeOH.0.2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cd(DADMBTZ)₃](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ). The characterization was done by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X‐ray determination. In reaction with DADMBTZ, zinc(II) and cadmium(II) show different characterization. In 2 , to form a tris‐chelate complex with nearly C₃ symmetry for coordination polyhedron, DADMBTZ acts as a bidentate ligand. In 1 , this difference maybe relevant to small radii of Zn²⁺ which make one of the DADMBTZ ligands act as a monodentate ligand to form the five coordinated Zn²⁺ complex. In both 1 and 2 complexes the anions are symmetrically different. 1 and 2 complexes form 2‐D and 3‐D networks via N‐H···O and N‐H···N hydrogen bonds, respectively.     

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.     

Crystallographic report: catena‐Aqua(2,2′‐bipyrimidine)lithium(I) perchlorate

A lithium(I) coordination polymer has been formed from LiClO₄ and the 2,2′‐bipyrimidine (bpym) ligand in which each square pyramidal lithium(I) atom is coordinated in the basal plane by four nitrogen donor atoms derived from two bpym ligands and one water molecule at the apical position. These are connected into a layer structure via hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving the perchlorate anions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer with 2,2′‐(disulfanediyl)dibenzoate and 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands

In poly[[μ₃‐2,2′‐(disulfanediyl)dibenzoato‐κ⁵O:O,O′:O′′,O′′′](1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₁₄H₈O₄S₂)(C₁₂H₈N₂)]_n, the asymmetric unit contains one Cd^II cation, one 2,2′‐(disulfanediyl)dibenzoate anion (denoted dtdb²⁻) and one 1,10‐phenanthroline ligand (denoted phen). Each Cd^II centre is seven‐coordinated by five O atoms of bridging/chelating carboxylate groups from three dtdb²⁻ ligands and by two N atoms from one phen ligand, forming a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal geometry. The Cd^II cations are bridged by dtdb²⁻ anions to give a two‐dimensional (4,4) layer. The layers are stacked to generate a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via a combination of aromatic C—H...π and π–π interactions. The thermogravimetric and luminescence properties of this compound were also investigated.     

Syntheses,Structures and Characterization of Four Metal‐Organic Frameworks constructed by 2,2′,6,6′‐Tetramethoxy‐4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylic Acid

Four metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Mn_3.5L(OH)(HCOO)₄(DMF)] · H₂O} ( 1 ), {[In_2.5L₂O(OH)_1.5(H₂O)₂] · DMF · CH₃CN · 2H₂O} ( 2 ), {[Pb₄L₃O(DMA)] · CH₃CN} ( 3 ), and {[LaL(NO₃)(DMF)₂] · 2H₂O} ( 4 ) were synthesized by utilizing the ligand 2,2′,6,6′‐tetramethoxy‐4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H₂L) via solvothermal methods. All MOFs were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. In 1 , the Mn²⁺ ions are interconnected by formic groups in situ produced via DMF decomposition to form a rare 2D macrocyclic plane, which is further linked by L^2– to construct the final 3D network. In 2 , 1D zip‐like infinite chain is formed and then interconnected to build the 3D framework. In 3 , a [Pb₆(μ₄‐O)₂(O₂C)₁₀(DMA)₂] cluster with a centrosymmetric [Pb₆(μ₄‐O)₂]⁸⁺ octahedral core is formed in the 3D structure. In 4 , the La³⁺ ions are connected with each other through carboxylate groups of L^2– to generate 1D zigzag chain, which is further linked by L^2– to construct a 3D network with sra topology. Solid photoluminescence properties of 3 and 4 were also investigated.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Fluorescence Properties of Two Transition Metal‐Organic Coordination Polymers Based on 4,4′‐Dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine

Two transition metal‐organic coordination polymers, [Mn₂(1,3‐bdc)₂(Me₂bpy)₂] · Me₂bpy ( 1 ) and [Co(4,4′‐oba)(Me₂bpy)] ( 2 ) were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction [1,3‐H₂bdc = benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid, H₂oba = 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) Me₂bpy = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine]. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with a = 23.371(5), b = 14.419(3), and c = 14.251(3) Å. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, with a = 7.4863(15), b = 18.272(4), c = 16.953(5) Å, and β = 107.44(3)°. The crystal structure of complex 1 is a wave‐like layer with central Mn²⁺ atoms bridged by 1,3‐bdc ligands, whereas the structure of compound 2 presents a ladder chain of hexacoordinate Co²⁺ atoms, in which the metal atoms are bridged by 4,4′‐oba ligands and decorated by Me₂bpy ligands. The two compounds are further extended into 3D supramolecular structures through π–π stacking interactions. Additionally, the compounds show intense fluorescence in solid state at room temperature.     

Two Zinc(II) Coordination Polymers Based on Terphenyl‐2,2′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylate and Dipyridyl Ligands: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties

Two coordination polymers, {[Zn₂(L)(bpy)] · 2H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and [Zn₂(L)(bpe)]_n ( 2 ) [H₄L = terphenyl‐2,2′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic acid, bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine, and bpe = 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane], were hydrothermally synthesized under similar conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 has a 3D framework containing Zn–O–C–O–Zn 1D chains. Compound 2 exhibits a 3D framework, which features tubular channels. The channels are occupied by bpe molecules. The differences in the structures demonstrate that the auxiliary dipyridyl‐containing ligand has a significant effect on the construction of the final framework. Additionally, the fluorescent properties of the two compounds were also studied in the solid state at room temperature.     

Cadmium(II) Complexes with Mixed cis‐Epoxysuccinate and 2,2′‐Bipyridyl‐Like Ligands: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties

Two new Cd^II complexes, [Cd( ces )(phen)]_∞ ( 1 ) and {[Cd( ces )(bpy)(H₂O)](H₂O)}₂ ( 2 ), were prepared by slow solvent evaporation methods from mixtures of cis‐epoxysuccinic acid and Cd(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O in the presence of phen or bpy co‐ligand ( ces = cis‐epoxysuccinate, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, and bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses show that complex 1 has a one‐dimensional (1D) helical chain that is further assembled into a two‐dimensional (2D) sheet, and then an overall three‐dimensional (3D) network by the interchain C–H ··· O hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 features a dinuclear structure, which is further interlinked into a 3D supramolecular network by the co‐effects of intermolecular C–H ··· O and C–H ··· π hydrogen bonds as well as π ··· π stacking interactions. The structural differences between 1 and 2 are attributable to the intervention of different 2,2′‐bipyridyl‐like co‐ligands. Moreover, 1 and 2 exhibit intense solid‐state luminescence at room temperature, which mainly originates from the intraligand π→π* transitions of aromatic co‐ligands.     

Gas‐phase geometries and energies of bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) interacting either with Cu(I) or Ag(I): Computational study

With a polarized double‐zeta basis set, we carried out MP2 and density functional theory geometry optimization of bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) interacting either with Cu(I) or Ag(I). The computed gas‐phase geometries of both Cu and Ag complexes present tetrahedral distortions around the ions. However, geometry optimization on Cu or Ag ions complexing with ammonia molecules yield perfect tetrahedral coordination and interaction energies comparable to those of the bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) complexes. Solid‐state laboratory studies on complexes of the same metal ions with substituted bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) revealed tetrahedral distortions around the ions, even stronger than those computed in the gas phase. From our analysis of the potential interaction energies we conclude that the origin of the larger distortions in the solid state result from stacking interactions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 395–404, 2003     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Copper(II) and Copper(I) dpp Complexes, [Cu(dpp)Br2] and [Cu(dpp)2][CuBr2] (dpp = 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline)

The complexes [Cu(dpp)Br₂] ( 1 ) and [Cu(dpp)₂][CuBr₂] ( 2 ) (dpp = 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. Reaction of copper(II) bromide with the dpp ligand in dichloromethane at room temperature afforded 1 , which is a rare example of non‐square planar four‐coordinate copper(II) complexes. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 15.352(3), b = 13.192(3), c = 11.358(2) Å, β = 120.61(3)°, V = 1979.6(7) ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.865 g cm^?3. The coordination geometry about the copper center is distorted about halfway between square planar and tetrahedral. The Cu‐N distance is 2.032(2) Å and the Cu‐Br distance 2.3521(5) Å. Heating a CH₂Cl₂ or acetone solution of 1 resulted in complex 2 , which consists of a slightly distorted tetrahedral [Cu(dpp)₂]⁺ cation and a linear two‐coordinate [CuBr₂]^? anion. 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a = 10.445(2), b = 11.009(2), c = 18.458(4) Å, α = 104.72(3), β = 94.71(3), γ = 103.50(3)°, V = 1973.3(7) ų, Z = 2, D_calc = 1.602 g cm^?3. The four Cu(1)‐N distances are between 2.042(3) and 2.067(3) Å, the distance of Cu(2)‐Br(1) 2.2268(8) Å, and the disordered Cu(3)‐Br(2) distances are 2.139(7) and 2.237(4) Å, respectively. Complex 2 could also be prepared by directly reacting CuBr with dpp in CH₂Cl₂.     

Luminescence characteristics and X‐ray crystal structure of [Cd(bipy)3][PF6]2 (bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine)

The photoluminescence characteristics of the [Cd(bipy)₃][PF₆]₂ complex are reported. A moderately large quantum yield (φ) of 1.07 × 10^?2 is exhibited in acetonitrile solution at 298 K. Crystallography shows the dication to have a distorted octahedral geometry and the crystal structure to be stabilized by C? H···π and C? H···F interactions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structures of 3,3′-dicarbometoxy-2,2′-bipyridine complexes with silver(I) and copper(II) cations

The structures of 3,3′-dicarbometoxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dcmbpy) complexes with copper(II) and silver(I) cations have been determined using single crystal X-ray-diffraction. The crystals of Cu(dcmbpy)Cl₂ are monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.966(3), b = 18.373(3), c = 13.154(2) Å, β = 126.543(3)°. The crystals of Ag(dcmbpy)NO₃ · H₂O are also monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.7547(13), b = 11.0922(9), c = 18.7789(18) Å, β = 100.228(7)°. The results have been compared with the literature data on the complexes of dcmbpy and its precursors: 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 3,3′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dcbpy). Two types of complexes of 3,3′-carboxy derivatives of bpy are distinguished: (1) with metal atom bonded to two N atoms of the same molecule and (2) with metal atom bonded to two N atoms of two different molecules. The Cu(dcmbpy)Cl₂ complex belongs to the first type, whereas Ag(dcmbpy)NO₃ · H₂O belongs to the second type.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and infrared spectra of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with 4,4′‐dichloro‐2,2′‐[ethylene dioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol

Novel 4,4′‐dichloro‐2,2′‐[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H₂L) and its complexes [CuL] and {[CoL(THF)]₂(OAc)₂Co} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H‐NMR and X‐ray crystallography. [CuL] forms a mononuclear structure which may be stabilized by the intermolecular contacts between copper atom (Cu) and oxygen atom (O3) to form a head‐to‐tail dimer. In {[CoL(THF)]₂(OAc)₂Co}, two acetates coordinate to three cobalt ions through Co? O? C? O? Co bridges and four µ‐phenoxo oxygen atoms from two [CoL(THF)] units also coordinate to cobalt ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural and theoretical characterization of a new twisted 4′‐substituted terpyridine compound: 4′‐(isoquinolin‐4‐yl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine

4′‐Substituted derivatives of 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine with N‐containing heteroaromatic substituents, such as pyridyl groups, might be able to coordinate metal centres through the extra N‐donor atom, in addition to the chelating terpyridine N atoms. The incorporation of these peripheral N‐donor sites would also allow for the diversification of the types of noncovalent interactions present, such as hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking. The title compound, C₂₄H₁₆N₄, consists of a 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine nucleus (tpy), with a pendant isoquinoline group (isq) bound at the central pyridine (py) ring. The tpy nucleus deviates slightly from planarity, with interplanar angles between the lateral and central py rings in the range 2.24 (7)–7.90 (7)°, while the isq group is rotated significantly [by 46.57 (6)°] out of this planar scheme, associated with a short H_tpy…H_isq contact of 2.32 Å. There are no strong noncovalent interactions in the structure, the main ones being of the π–π and C—H…π types, giving rise to columnar arrays along [001], further linked by C—H…N hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. An Atoms In Molecules (AIM) analysis of the noncovalent interactions provided illuminating results, and while confirming the bonding character for all those interactions unquestionable from a geometrical point of view, it also provided answers for some cases where geometric parameters are not informative, in particular, the short H_tpy…H_isq contact of 2.32 Å to which AIM ascribed an attractive character.     

Three one‐dimensional coordination polymers based on 1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole and HgX2 (X = Cl,Br and I)

A new 2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole bridging organic ligand, namely 1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole, C₂₆H₂₀N₆, L or (I), has been synthesized and used to create three new one‐dimensional coordination polymers, viz.catena‐poly[[dichloridomercury(II)]‐μ‐1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole], [HgCl₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (II), and the bromido, [HgBr₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (III), and iodido, [HgI₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (IV), analogues. Free ligand L crystallizes with two symmetry‐independent half‐molecules in the asymmetric unit and each L molecule resides on a crytallographic inversion centre. In structures (II)–(IV), the L ligand is also positioned on a crystallographic inversion centre, whereas the Hg centre resides on a crystallographic twofold axis. Compound (I) adopts an anti conformation in the solid state and forms a two‐dimensional network in the crystallographic bc plane viaπ–π and C—H...π interactions. The three Hg^II coordination complexes, (II)–(IV), have one‐dimensional zigzag chains composed of L and HgX₂ (X = Cl, Br and I), and the Hg^II centres are in a distorted tetrahedral [HgX₂N₂] coordination geometry. Complexes (III) and (IV) are isomorphous, whereas complex (II) displays an interesting conformational difference from the others, i.e. a twist in the flexible bridging ligand.