Cobalt and cadmium complexes with N-heterocyclic dicarboxylic acid ligands: Syntheses, structures, magnetic and fluorescent properties

► A cobalt and a cadmium complexes 1, 2 with N-heterocyclic dicarboxylate are described. ► Compound 1 is new triclinic mononuclear complex, while 2 shows a 2D layer structure. ► In 2, the pzdc ligand adopts unique doubly bridging bis-bidentate μ4 coordination mode. ► The magnetic and TG properties for 1 and the photoluminescence for 2 are discussed.