Synthesis,characterization, and properties of copper and manganese complexes with 5-(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)isophthalate

Four new complexes, [Cu(L)] (1), [Cu₂(L)(dpe)_0.5]?·?2.5H₂O (2), [Mn(L)] (3), and [Mn(L)(pybim)] (4) [H₂L?=?5-(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)isophthalic acid, dpe?=?1,2-di(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene, pybim?=?2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole], have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffractions, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. The crystal structural analyses reveal that 1 and 4 are uninodal 3-connected 2-fold interpenetrated 2-D networks with (6³) topology, 2 shows an infinite 1-D double-stranded chain structure, and 3 exhibits a uninodal 4-connected 2-D network with (4⁴?·?6²) topology. The factors influencing the structures of the coordination polymers are discussed. In addition, the thermal stabilities of 1–4, second-order non-linear optical effect of 1, and preliminary magnetic property of 3 have also been investigated.