Effect of anions on the self-assembly of Zn(ii) with a hydrogenated Schiff base ligand: structural diversity and photoluminescent propertiesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 912059-912064. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c3ce26937j

• Main Authors: Wen, Yuehong, Sheng, Tianlu, Hu, Shengmin, Wang, Yanlong, Tan, Chunhong, Ma, Xiao, Xue, Zhenzhen, Wang, Yong, Wu, Xintao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1466-8033
• DOI: 10.1039/c3ce26937j

A flexible tetradentate ligand, 1,2-bis(4′-pyridylmethylamino)ethane (L), has been used for assembly with different Zn( ii ) salts. Six complexes with diverse structures from zero- to two-dimensional array have been prepared under mild conditions. Complexes (Zn 2 LCl 4 ·2H 2 O) 2 ( 1 ) and (Zn 2 LBr 4 ·H 2 O) 2 ( 2 ) form novel discrete M 4 L 2 square metallacycles, which are further linked by Cl (or Br) H hydrogen bonds and weak intermolecular interactions to result in 3D frameworks. Complex [ZnL(SCN) 2 ·2H 2 O] n ( 3 ) is a one-dimensional hinged chain. Different chains are stacked in a staggered pattern by the π-π interactions. Complex (ZnLCl 2 ·2H 2 O) n ( 4 ) displays an infinite one-dimensional hinged chain too, but its 3D supramolecular structure is formed by the intrachain and interchain hydrogen bonds. Both complexes [ZnL(H 2 O) 2 ·2ClO 4 ·4H 2 O] n ( 5 ) and [ZnLAc(H 2 O)·Ac·2H 2 O] n ( 6 ) exhibit 2D networks. Structural analyses of complexes 1-6 suggest that anions Cl − , Br − , SCN − , ClO 4 − , and Ac − play an important role in the formation of those complexes with hydrogenated Schiff base L. Furthermore, the photoluminescence of complexes 1-6 have also been investigated in the solid state. Six complexes have been prepared from hydrogenated Schiff base ligand L and Zn( ii ) salts. The anions have a great influence on the structural assembly.