Effect of organic dicarboxylate on the self-assembly of ternary mixed-ligand cobalt(II) coordination polymers: Syntheses, fluorescence and catalytic properties

•3D and 2D CoII MOCPs were synthesized and characterized.•Effect of carboxylate on self-assembly of CoII MOCPs was presented.•An unusual (5,6)-connected 3D supramolecular network in MOCPs.•Two MOCPs show photocatalytic performances for Congo red dye.

Two Co(II) coordination polymers, formulated as [Co(bix)(tbta)]n (1) and [Co(bix)0.5(aip)(H2O)]n (2) (bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H2tbta = tetrabromoterephthalic acid, H2aip = 5-aminoisophthalic acid) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 features a 3D three-fold interpenetrating diamond framework. Complex 2 is a 2D (3,4) network with 3,4L83 topology and extend into an unusual (5,6)-connected 3D supramolecular framework via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In addition, fluorescence and catalytic performances of complexes 1 and 2 for the degradation of Congo red dye in a photo-Fenton-like process were investigated.

Graphical abstractTwo new Co(II) coordination polymers based on bis(imidazole) and different dicarboxylates were synthesized and characterized structurally. Compound 1 exhibits a three-fold interpenetrating dia architecture, compound 2 shows a 2D (3,4)-connected 3,4L83 network, which is further extended into an unprecedented (5,6)-connected 3D supramolecular framework by hydrogen bond interactions. Both two complexes exhibit catalytic activities for the degradation of the Congo red dye in a photo-Fenton-like process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide