Abstract
[Zn(L)(HCOO)Cl]n (1) and {[Zn2(L)2(OH)(HCOO)Cl]·I}n (2) have been obtained by hydrothermal methods of zinc chloride with 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L) and potassium bromide (or potassium iodide), and are characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The zinc(II) centers display tetrahedral coordination in 1 and 2. Solid 1 forms a one-dimensional (1-D) helical chain bridged by L, which is further arranged into a two-dimensional supramolecular structure through intermolecular π–π stacking interactions. A 1-D ladder-like chain of 2 connected by hydroxyl and L is presented. Solid-state fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated.