Syntheses, crystal structures and electrochemical properties of Zn(II), Ag(I) and Cu(II) complexes based on 2-[(4,6-dimethylpyrimidinyl)-2-thio] acetic acid

Three inorganic–organic supramolecular networks based on 2-[(4,6-dimethylpyrimidinyl)-2-thio] acetic acid (HL) and Zn(II), Ag(I) and Cu(II) salts have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffractions. Mononuclear complex [ZnL 2 (1,2-DAP)]·2H 2 O ( 1 ) (1,2-DAP = 1,2-diaminopropane) exhibits a three-dimensional cavity architecture through hydrogen bonds and π–π interaction. The crystal structure of (AgL) n ( 2 ) consists of two-dimensional brick-wall framework. [Cu 2 L 4 (CH 3 OH) 2 ]·3CH 3 OH ( 3 ) contains dinuclear copper units, which are bridged by four acetate groups. Electrochemical behaviors have been systematically investigated by different electrochemical methods. Complex 3 shows a pair of quasi-reversible redox peaks. The electrode process is controlled by diffusion. The diffusion coefficient ( D ) for 3 is about 10 −6 cm 2 s −1 . The electron transfer number ( n ) and the transfer coefficient ( α ) are 2 and 0.33, respectively.