Four new cadmium(II) homophthalate diimine complexes: Syntheses, structures and fluorescence

Four new complexes of homophthalate (hpht), [Cd(hpht)(phen)](n) (1), [Cd(hpht)(2,2'-bpy)](n) (2), [Cd(hpht)(2,2'-bpy)(H2O)](n) (.) 2nH(2)O (3), [Cd(hpht)(4,4'-bpy)](n) (.) nH(2)O (4), have been solvothermally synthesized and characterized. Both 1 and 2 are 1-D double-chains which are further extended to 2-D layer structure by the pi-pi interaction of phen (for 1) and 2,2'-bpy (for 2). Complex 3 is linear chain which is stacked to 3-D supramolecular network though the pi-pi interaction and hydrogen bonding. Complex 4 features a 2-D network formed by the linkages of bench-like chains though 4,4'-bpy. Both 1 and 2 exhibit intense blue fluorescence emission and 3 produces a green fluorescence, while 4 features a unique and very strong red fluorescence. Complexes 1-4 may be potential candidates for photoactive materials. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.