Metal-directed syntheses of coordination polymers via in situ ligand reactions from the same precursor, 2-(1H-benzeimidazol-2-yl)-acetonitrile

•Three new complexes were obtained via in situ reactions from the same precursor.•These in situ reactions may be directed by metal ions.•Complexes 1–2 show 3D chiral supramolecular frameworks based on 41 helical chains.

Three new coordination polymers, [Co(HBit)2]n (1), [Mn(HBit)2]n (2) (H2Bit = 2-((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole), and [CdCl(MBi)(HMBi)]n (3), (HMBi = 2-methyl-1H-benzo-[d]imidazole), have been hydrothermally synthesized via in situ ligand reaction. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and display interesting 3D chiral supramolecular frameworks constructed from one-dimensional 41 helical chains. Complex 3 possesses a one-dimensional coordination chain, which is further connected to a 2D layer by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. More interestingly, both H2Bit and HMBi ligands are in situ generated from the same precursor, 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-acetonitrile, and the formation may depend on the kind of metal ion. Furthermore, the solid-state luminescence of complex 3 was investigated at room temperature.

Graphical abstractThree new coordination polymers were obtained by using in situ reaction from the same precursor.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide