Hydrogen bonded supra-molecular framework in inorganic–organic hybrid compounds: Syntheses, structures, and photoluminescent properties

Two novel compounds constructed from aromatic acid and N-Heterocyclic ligands have been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction: [Cd(mip)(1,8-NDC)(H2O)]2 (1) [mip = 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1] and [10]phenanthroline, 1,8-NDC = naphthalene-1,8-dicarboxylic acid] and Cd(mip)2(NTC)2 (2) [NTC = nicotinic acid]. Compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Single-crystal X-ray investigation reveals that compounds 1–2 are 0 dimensional (0D) structures, and the existence of hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions lead the 0D to 2D novel framework. Hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions are powerful non-covalent intermolecular interactions for directing supra-molecular architectures. TG analysis shows clear courses of weight loss, which corresponds to the decomposition of different ligands. At room temperature, compound 1 exhibits emission at 449 nm upon excitation at 325 nm, and compound 2 shows a strong emission at 656 nm upon excitation at 350 nm. Fluorescent spectrum displays that compounds 1 and 2 are potential luminescent materials.

► Two cadmium complexes were prepared and characterized by IR, X-ray diffraction and TGA techniques.
► The two complexes show distorted octahedral geometries.
► Different intermolecular interactions lead to various crystalline aggregates in 1–2.