Synthesis and crystal structures of complexes based on the ligand meso-1,4-phenylenebis(hydroxyacetic acid)

•The new linker 1,4-phenylenebis(hydroxyacetic acid) has been synthesized.•The new linker combines the chirality found in metal tartrates with the rigidity of aromatic dicarboxylates.•The new linker reacts with the divalent metal cations Co2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ to produce new compounds.•Single crystals were grown and were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy.•The compounds have chain structures with the chains linked through extensive hydrogen bonding.

The syntheses and crystal structures of compounds based on the ligand 1,4-phenylenebis (hydroxyacetic acid) (H2L) are reported for the first time. Three chain structures based on H2L and divalent metal cations were synthesized and characterized and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds PbL (1), CoL(H2O)2·2H2O (2), and ZnL(H2O)2·2H2O (3) have similar infinite chains of metal centers bridged by 1,4-phenylenebis(hydroxyacetic acid). The coordination spheres of the transition metal ions are completed by coordinating water molecules in the isostructural compounds 2 and 3. The non-covalent secondary bonding requirement of Pb2+ in 1 and interchain hydrogen bonds in 2 and 3 lead to different packing of the chains.

Graphical abstractThree chain structures are formed by reaction of the ligand 1,4-phenylenebis (hydroxyacetic acid) (H2L) with Pb2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ cations. The coordination of Co2+ and Zn2+ are completed by coordinating water molecules. Weak Pb–O bonds and hydrogen bonds in Co2+ and Zn2+ compounds lead to different packing of the chains.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide