A series of 1-D zinc(II) coordination polymers with 3-D supramolecular networks: synthesis, structural investigation, and NBO analysis

Abstract

N,N′-Bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)naphthalene-1,5-diamine (L) acts as a bipyridine analogue linker ligand towards {Zn₇(μ₄-O)₂(OAc)₁₀}, {Zn₂(NCS)₂(OAc)₂}, and {Zn(N₃)₂} nodes and allows construction of three new 1-D coordination polymers, the linear chain [Zn₇(μ₄-O)₂(OAc)₁₀(L)]_n (1), [Zn(NCS)(OAc)(L)]_n (2) in ladder-type geometry and the zigzag chain [Zn(N₃)₂(L)]_n (3). Structural characterization reveals that in 1 acetate anionic ligands connect seven Zn(II) ions through the bridging coordination modes μ₃-η¹,η² and μ₂-η¹,η¹. The resulting heptanuclear node is located on an inversion center and therefore consists of four crystallographically distinct cations; their coordination spheres correspond to distorted octahedra or tetrahedra. The Zn(II) ions in polymer 2 exhibit distorted trigonal bipyramidal {ZnN₃O₂} coordination; μ₂-η¹,η¹ coordinated acetate and terminal thiocyanate ligands lead to inversion-symmetric [Zn₂(NCS)₂(OAc)₂] secondary building units (SBU), which are further linked by the N,N′-bipyridine analogue L. Terminal coordination of two anionic azide ligands and the bridging bipyridine L result in coordination polymer 3, in which the cations adopt distorted tetrahedral {ZnN₄} coordination. In all crystalline solids 1–3, adjacent 1-D chains interact through π–π stacking and non-classical (C − H···O, C − H···π) hydrogen bonds, leading to 3-D supramolecular architectures. Differences in their 3-D arrangement are due to variations in the anionic co-ligands, subtle conformational differences in the semi-rigid linker and the variable coordination sphere about the zinc cations. Thermogravimetric investigations indicate differences in both thermal stability and decomposition mode. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis provides a convenient basis for investigating the intramolecular bonding interactions and delocalization effects in these molecular systems. Finally, solids 1–3 exhibit intense luminescence at room temperature.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Coordination polymers
• bipyridine analogue ligand
• natural bond orbital analysis (NBO)
• thermal analysis
• luminesence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).