Synthesis, structural characterizations and spectroscopic properties of binuclear CoIII complex and its Schiff ligand as a chemosensor for fuorescent recognition of ZnII

Binuclear Co-III complex [Co-2(L)(3)(DMF)(3)] containing a Schiff ligand H2L was synthesized and analyzed by elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculation. The Co-III complex was a 3:2 ((L)(2-) : Co-III) binuclear structure. The spatial configuration of central Co-III ions was six-coordinated slightly twisted octahedron. The 3D supramolecular network structure was linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, C-H center dot center dot center dot pi and pi center dot center dot center dot pi stacking interactions. The Schiff ligand H2L exhibits weak luminescence, but this weak fluorescence is turned on after coordination with the Zn-II ion. Furthermore, H2L could as an "OFF-ON" chemosensor for fluorescent recognition of Zn-II.