A bridge between pillared-layer and helical structures: a series of three-dimensional pillared coordination polymers with multiform helical chains

Rational self-assembly of a long V-shaped 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylate (bptc) ligand and metal salts in the presence of linear bidentate ligand yield a series of novel pillared helical-layer complexes, namely, Cu2(bptc)(bpy)2] (1), M3(Hbptc)2(bpy)3(H2O)4].2 H2O (M = Fe(2) and Ni(3)), Co2(bptc)(bpy)(H2O)].0.5 bpy (4), Cd2(bptc)(bpy)(H2O)2].H2O (5), Mn2(bptc)(bpy)1.5(H2O)3] (6) and M2(bptc)(bpy)0.5(H2O)5].0.5 bpy (M = Mn(7), Mg(8) and Co(9), bpy=4,4'-bipyridine). Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The structure of 1 consists of two types of chiral layers, one left-handed and the other right-handed, which are connected by bpy pillars to generate a novel 3D open framework featuring four distinct helical chains. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural and feature 3D structures formed from the interconnection of arm-shaped helical layers with bpy pillars. Compound 4 is a pillared helical double-layer complex containing four different types of helices, among which the nine-fold interwoven helices constructed from triple-stranded helical motifs are unprecedented. Compound 5 exhibits a novel 3D covalent framework which features nanosized tubular channels. These channels are built from helical layers pillared by bptc ligands. The structure of 6 is constructed from {Mn(bptc)(H2O)}n2n- layers, which consist of left- and right-handed helical chains, pillared by Mn2(bpy)3(H2O)4]4+ complexes into a 3D framework. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 1-6 are the first examples of pillared helical-layer coordination polymers. Compounds 7-9 are isostructural and exhibit interesting 2D helical double-layer structures, which are constructed from {M(bptc)(H2O)2}n2n- ribbons cross-linked by M2(bpy)(H2O)6]4+ complexes. Furthermore, the 3D supramolecular structures of 7-9 are similar to the 3D structure of 6, and the 2D structure of 7 can be transformed into the 3D structure of 6 at higher reaction temperature. By inspection of the structures of 1-9, it is believed that the V-shaped bptc ligand and V-shaped phthalic group of the bptc ligand are important for the formation of the helical structures. The magnetic behavior of compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 was studied and indicated the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions. Moreover, compound 5 shows intense photoluminescence at room temperature.