Solvent control in the synthesis of Zn(II) and Cd(II) supramolecular compounds with N,N′-{2,4-di-[(di-pyridin-2-yl)amine]-1,3,5-triazine}ethylenediamine

Four novel supramolecular materials ZnL(NO3)2 (1), CdL(NO3)2 (2), Zn3L(NO3)6 · CH3CN (3) and Cd3L(NO3)6 · CH3CN (4) have been prepared by the reaction of Zn(II) and Cd(II) nitrate with the ligand N,N′-{2,4-di-[(di-pyridin-2-yl)amine]-1,3,5-triazine}ethylenediamine (L) using a solvothermal synthetic procedure under autogenous pressure. The solid-state structure of these coordination compounds has been tuned by the crystallisation solvent. In methanol, the mononuclear materials 1 and 2 are obtained while in acetonitrile, the trinuclear complexes 3 and 4 are formed. The structures of 1–3 have been elucidated by means of single-crystal diffraction. Complex 4 has been isolated as a microcrystalline powder for which the IR and elemental analyses are in agreement with a trinuclear formulation.

Graphical abstractThe reactions of Zn(NO3)2 or Cd(NO3)2 with the ligand N,N′-{2,4-di-[(di-pyridin-2-yl)amine]-1,3,5-triazine}-ethylenediamine yield mono or trinuclear coordination compounds under the same experimental procedure, depending on the nature of the solvent used, namely methanol or acetonitrile.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide