Syntheses and crystal structures of three new Zn(II) complexes constructed by homophthalate and diimine ligands

Three new zinc(II) complexes constructed by homophthalate (hpht) and dimine ligand, [Zn(phen)(hpht)(H2O)]n (1), [Zn(2,2′-bpy)(hpht)]n 2.5nH2O (2) and [Zn2(4,4′-bpy)(hpht)2(H2O)2]nnH2O (3), have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses reveal that 1 is 2D supromolecular framework formed by discrete dimers through hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction. 2 has a 2D layer structure formed by dimeric units through π–π interaction of 2,2′-bpy and phenyl ring of hpht, with water molecules as space fillers. 3 is an interesting 2D network which contains ladder-like double chains, and the ‘ladders’ are connected to each other by binuclear macrocyclic rings.