Aryl azo imidazole assisted self-assembly of d10 metal complexes: Influence of halogen substitution and counter ions

A series of eight coordination networks has been obtained by the self-assembly of the aryl azo imidazole based building block and with d10 metal [Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II)] and counter anion (Cl−, NO3−, SCN−) in order to rationalize the effect of coordination behavior of the metal ion, the size of the anions and the substitution effects of ligands upon the structure adopted by these metal complexes. Influences of halogen (Cl−, Br−, and I−) substitutions are reflected in the precise molecular level architecture in the individual complexes. The parameters related to the coordination sphere depend on the metal-to-ligand ratios and are also influenced by the solvent of crystallization. A competition between the coordinating capabilities of the counter anion with ligands and its shape led to neutral and anionic metal complexes. Furthermore, various physicochemical studies viz. thermal behaviors, absorption spectra have been conducted to rationalize their structure in solution phase.

Graphical abstractA systematic investigation of d10 metal (ZnII, CdII, and HgII) complexes using p-halo aryl azo imidazole dyes has been rationalized. Considering the effect of counter anions, metal ions and substitution have significant influence in the higher dimensional networks which have been reflected in the solution phase behavior also.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide