Synthesis,characterization and X-ray crystallographic investigation of 2-D hybrid hydrogen bonded and rectangular grid networks in Cu(II) and Co(II) metal complexes

Two copper/cobalt metal complexes, Cu(l-cys)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] (1) and {Co(l-cys)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (2), with the N-donor ligands 2,2′-bipyridyl/4,4′-bipyridyl and the l-cysteate dianion (l-cys) have been synthesized by different reaction methods and structurally characterized. Compound 1 exists as a discrete monomeric unit in which the metal ions possess a distorted square-pyramidal coordination environment provided by nitrogen atoms from the 2,2′-bpy ligand and the amino-carboxylate group of l-cys in a chelated coordination, constituting the square base, and with a water molecule occupying the axial coordination site to complete the penta coordination. Packing and hydrogen bonding interactions of 1 reveal that the screw related monomeric units are involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the formation of helical bilayers via O–H?O and N–H?O interactions. These hydrogen bonded bilayered helical nets are involved in stacking and C–H?O interactions which generate a two dimensional hydrogen bonded network in the bc-plane. Complex 2 is a two dimensional coordination polymer which is insoluble in common polar and non-polar solvents. The coordination around the metal center possesses a distorted octahedral geometry. The adjacent metal centers are bridged via the carboxylate group of the l-cys moiety in a syn–anti fashion, generating a one dimensional helical network along the b-axis. Adjacent helical chains are further pillared by the 4,4′-bpy ligand through the terminal nitrogen atoms, generating a two dimensional square grid type coordination network. Both the complexes are characterized well by various physico-chemical techniques such as CHN analysis, IR spectroscopy, PXRD and CD analysis.