Supramolecular assembly of nanometer-sized heterobimetallic 3d–4f complexes formed with benzimidazole based N,O-donor ligands

Five heterobimetallic Cu–Ln complexes of general formula [CuLn(HL)2(NO3)3(MeCN)2] · 2Et 2O (Ln = Eu 1, Tb 2, Er 3, Yb 4 and Nd 5) were prepared with a new multidentate benzimidazole ligand based on 4-bromo-2-[2-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-benzoimidazol-1-ylmethyl]-6-methoxy-phenol (H2L1) or its bis-methoxy substituted analog (H2L3). In the solid state the structures of 1–4 exhibit supramolecular 3D-networks which are formed by the linking of C–H⋯O and C–H⋯π interactions. Compound 5 does not exhibit an extended supramolecular network.

Graphical abstractNew heterobimetallic Cu–Ln complexes formed with benzoimidazole based N,O-donor ligands exhibit supramolecular 3D-networks via C–H⋯ O and CH⋯π interactions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide