Two novel d10 metal coordination polymers based on an asymmetric polycarboxylate ligand: Synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence and photocatalysis.

abstract Two novel coordination polymers (CPs), [Cd 2 (cbta)(phen) 2 (H 2 O)] n (1), {[Zn 2 (cbta)(phen) 2 ] [Zn 2 (cbta) (phen) 2 (H 2 O)]·4H 2 O} n (2) (H 4 cbta = 1-(2-carboxylphenoxy)-2,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. CP 1 shows a 2D network structure based on tetranuclear CdII clusters and (cbta)4- ligands, which are arranged in a [ABAB···] alternation to form a 3D supramolecular structures through π···π stacking interactions. Noticeably, CP 2 contains two kinds of independent units [Zn 2 (cbta)(phen) 2 ] (A) and [Zn 2 (cbta)(phen) 2 (H 2 O)]·4H 2 O (B) to form a 1D+1D structure. A shows 1D double chain based on Zn1, Zn2, which are recognized each other to generate a 2D supramolecular network (A) by hydrogen bonding interactions. While B are ring chains comprised of Zn3, Zn4, which are linked into 2D supramolecular network (B) through π···π stacking interactions. The peculiar structural feature is that the neighboring 2D networks are arranged in a [ABAB···] alternation to form a 3D supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonding interactions and C H···π and C H⋯O week interactions. Especially the (ctba)4- ligands in 1 – 2 adopt three different conformations and coordination modes. The thermal stabilities, XRD, UV, photoluminescence properties of CPs 1–2 were also studied. Remarkably, CPs 1–2 exhibit photocatalytic activities for degradation of dye (MB) under UV light irradiation and show good stabilities toward UV-light photocatalysis. Graphical abstract Two novel d10 metal CPs have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized. 1 is a 2D network structure based on tetranuclear CdII clusters. 2 contains two kinds of independent units [Zn2(cbta)(phen)2] (A) and [Zn2(cbta) (phen)2(H2O)]·4H2O (B) to form an 1D+1D structure. The peculiar structural feature is that the neighboring A and B chains are arranged in a [ABAB···] alternation to form 3D supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonding interactions and π ... π stacking interactions. In addition, the thermal stability, photoluminescence and photocatalysis of 1–2 were also studied. Image 1 Highlights • Two Cd/Zn CPs with H 4 cbta and phen ligands. • 1 shows a 2D network based on tetranuclear CdII clusters and (cbta)4- ligand. • 2 contains two independent units (A) and (B) to form an 1D+1D structure. • The thermal stabilities and luminescence properties were also studied. • 1–2 exhibit photocatalytic activities for degradation of dye under UV light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]