Metal ions directed self-assembly based on rigid polycarboxylate ligand 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid and flexible N-heterocyclic ligand 1,4-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene

•Two new complexes have been synthesized by varying the metal ions.•Structural determinations show that the structure spans from 2D layer to 3D 4-fold interpenetrated framework.•The different structures indicate that metal ions have significant effects on the complexes.

Two new complexes {[Cd(bmimx)0.5(tbip)(H2O)] · H2O}n (1) and [Zn(bmimx)(tbip)]n (2) (bmimx = 1,4-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene, H2tbip = 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid) based on mixed ligands have been hydrothermally synthesized by varying the metal ions. Structural analysis reveals that complex 1 displays a 2D layer structure with a 44-sql topology; complex 2 exhibits a 3D 4-fold interpenetrated framework with sra topology. The structural differences between 1 and 2 indicate that metal ions have significant effects on the formation of the final architectures. In addition, the thermal stabilities and photoluminescent properties of the two complexes were also investigated.

Graphical abstractTwo new complexes were prepared from reactions of bmimx and H2tbip with different metal salts. Structural determinations show that the structure spans from 2D layer to 3D 4-fold interpenetrated framework, which indicates that metal ions play an essential role in the formation of the architectures.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide