Construction of HgII complexes containing chelating 2,2′-dipyridylamine ligands: Anion effect, photoluminescence and catalytic activities

► Five new structures of HgII complexes containing Hdpa ligands have been synthesized. ► Both anion effects and metal effects play very important roles for crystal structures of metal-Hdpa compounds. ► All five HgII complexes showed the intense emissions at room temperature. ► Two of them have shown efficient catalytic transesterification recation.