Ligand-based luminescence in lead-containing complexes: The effect of conjugated organic ligands on fluorescence

The asymmetrically substituted heterocyclic alkyne 5-(pyridin-3-ylethynyl) picolinate (P3PA) was synthesized via a one-pot Sonogashira coupling. After purification, P3PA was reacted with Pb(NO3)2 into the two-dimensional coordination polymer Pb(P3PA)2(H2O)2 (1) under hydrothermal conditions. Coordination polymer 1 crystallizes into the monoclinic space group I2/a, with a = 15.5775(10) Å, b = 5.9949(4) Å, c = 24.8380(16) Å, and β = 90.7500(10)°. In addition, the luminescent fluorene-based ligands, fluorene-9-carboxylate (FCA) and fluorenone-2,7-dicarboxylate (FDCA), were incorporated into hybrid materials via coordination to the lead (II) cation. Coordination polymer Pb(FCA)2 (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (a = 8.0518(9) Å, b = 25.338(3) Å, c = 10.5842(12) Å, β = 94.913(2)°), and forms a 1-D polymeric chain. Coordination polymer Pb3(FDCA)3(H2O)3 (3) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (a = 6.6990(5) Å, b = 10.1529(7) Å, c = 13.6935(9) Å, α = 81.884(2)°, β = 87.260(2)°, γ = 84.399(2)°), and forms pillared 3-D layers. These three compounds have been identified via single crystal X-ray diffraction and characterized via powder X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

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► Three lead coordination compounds based on conjugated organic ligands are reported.
► One lead-containing complex was obtained using 5-(pyridin-3-ylethynyl) picolinate.
► Lead-containing chain and sheet structure was obtained.
► Optimal hydro-/solvo-thermal conditions were established.
► Ligand based fluorescent properties were investigated.