Photoluminescent metal(II)-organic complexes with two distinct atropisomeric units from axially prochiral ligands through C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds (M = zinc, cobalt, nickel)

Photoluminescent metal-organic complexes, [M(Hsmpdc)2(H2O)4] · 6H2O (M = Zn (1), Co (2) and Ni (3)) have interesting hydrogen-bonded M2+(H2O)8 ionic clusters , and S- and R-atropisomeric units constructed from axially prochiral organic ligands through C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Strong photoluminescent emission at 543 nm with obvious red shift might make compound 1 a potentially photoactive solid-state material.