Ligands containing pyridyl-carboxylate terminals and their discrete silver and polymeric cadmium compounds: (n-py)–CHN–C10H6–COOH (n = 2 (HL1), 3 (HL2)), [Ag(HL1)2](PF6), [Ag(HL1)2](NO3)(H2O), and [Cd(L2)2]∞

Two potential linking ligands containing pyridyl-carboxylate terminals {(n-py)–CH = N–C10H6–COOH (n = 2 (HL1), 3 (HL2)} were synthesized by Schiff-base condensation under solvothermal conditions in methanol. Molecules of ligand HL1 are connected by the intermolecular O–H⋯N hydrogen bonds to create a 1D zigzag network. Ligand HL1 reacted with AgPF6 and AgNO3 to produce discrete Ag(I) complexes [Ag(HL1)2](PF6) (1) and [Ag(HL1)2](NO3)(H2O) (2), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 form a dimeric structure formed by the intermolecular O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds between two carboxylate terminals of two adjacent molecules. A 3D cadmium coordination polymer, [Cd(L2)2]∞ (3), was prepared from ligand HL2 and Cd(CH3COO)2·2H2O under solvothermal conditions. Ligand HL1 exhibited a red-shift on complex formation in its photoluminescence emission spectrum.

Graphical abstractTwo potential linking ligands containing pyridyl-carboxylate terminals {(n-py)–CHN–C10H6–COOH (n = 2 (HL1), 3 (HL2)} were synthesized. By employing the ligands, two discrete Ag(I) complexes, [Ag(HL1)2](PF6) and [Ag(HL1)2](NO3)(H2O), and a 3D cadmium coordination polymer, [Cd(L2)2]∞, were prepared. Ligand HL1 exhibited a red-shift on complex formation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide