Crystal structures and luminescence of two zinc(II) complexes with benzimidazole ligands

Two new zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction method: Zn(L1)Cl₂]·2DMF (1) and Zn(L2)Cl₂]·DMF (2) (L1 = 3,3′-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-2,2′-dipyridine, L2 = 3,3′-bis2-bis(2-ethylbenzimidazolyl)]-2,2′-dipyridine). Compound 1 is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 23.142(3) ?, b = 11.845(1) ?, c = 14.735(3) ?; compound 2 is orthorhombic, C222₁, a = 12.140(7) ?, b = 16.283(9) ?, c = 16.51(1) ?. In both compounds, Zn(II) cations are coordinated by two chlorine atoms and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms in a slightly distorted tetrahedron fashion. Structural features responsible for fluorescent properties of the complexes are discussed.