New photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes based on [Co2(1,4-BDC)(NCP)2]n·4nH2O

•One cobalt(II) complex has been hydrothermally synthesized.•1,10-Phenanthroline derivative and 1,4-H2BDC were used as the ligands.•It is an active photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes.

One metal–organic framework, [Co2(1,4-BDC)(NCP)2]n·4nH2O (1) (1,4-H2BDC denotes benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, HNCP denotes 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)imidazo(4,5-f)(1,10)phenanthroline), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and diffuse-reflectance UV–vis spectrum study. Compound 1 shows a 2D layer structure, which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular network structure through π–π stacking interactions. The photocatalytic study on compound 1 indicates that it is an active catalyst for the degradation of orange G, rhodamine B, methylene blue and methyl violet.

Graphical abstractOne CoII metal–organic framework with distinct structures based on a 1,4-H2BDC and HNCP ligands has been hydrothermally synthesized. The behaviors of the title compound as the catalyst in photodegradation of organic dyes were also investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide