Synthesis, structure and luminescent properties of Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes constructed from 3,5-dimethyl-2, 6-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid

[Cd-2(phen)(2)(DPZDA)(2)(H2O)(2)] center dot 8H(2)O (1) and [Zn(phen)(DPZDA)(H2O)] center dot 2H(2)O (2) have been synthesized by reaction of Cd(NO3)(2)/Zn(NO3)(2) with phen and DPZDA (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, H(2)DPZDA = 3,5-dimethyl-2,6-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid) in aqueous ethanol solution. Elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermal analyses and X-ray single crystal diffraction were carried out to determine the composition and crystal structure of 1 and 2. In 1, a 2D supramolecular network containing a novel metal-water decamer were formed by hydrogen bonds. In 2, a 2D supramolecular structure was constructed from hydrogen bonds and pi...pi interactions. Moreover, 1 and 2 displayed photoluminescent properties in the blue range at room temperature.