Assembly of luminescent Ag(I) coordination architectures adjusted by modification of pyrimidine-based thioether ligands

Two new structurally related pyrimidine-based thioether ligands, angular ditopic ligand 1,3-bis(2-pyrimidinylthiomethyl)benzene (L²) and linear ditopic ligand 1,4-bis(2-pyrimidinylthiomethyl)benzene (L³), have been designed and prepared. Reaction of two shaped-specific ligands with different silver(I) salts affords three novel luminescent coordination architectures: discrete metallomacrocycle [Ag₄(L²)₂(NO₃)₄] · 2MeOH (3), 1D chain {[Ag₂L³(NO₃)₂] · 2CCl₃}_n (4) and 2D wire netlike structure {[AgL³(DMF)]ClO₄ · 0.25H₂O}_n (5). The results show that the nature of organic ligands, geometric requirement of metal atoms and counter anions have great influence on the structures of metal-organic frameworks.     

Metal-regulated assemblies of Cu, Ni, and Zn complexes with isoquinoline-3-carboxylate displaying diverse supramolecular networks

Three distinct coordination complexes, viz. {[Cu(μ-L)₂] · (H₂O)₄}_n (1), [Ni(L)₂(CH₃OH)₂] (2), and [Zn(L)₂(H₂O)₂] · (H₂O)₂ (3), have been prepared by the reactions of metal nitrates with isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (HL). X-ray single-crystal diffraction suggests that 1 is a 1D chain coordination polymer in which the Cu^II ions are connected by carboxylates, whereas complexes 2 and 3 represent discrete mononuclear species. In all the cases, the coordination entities are further organized via hydrogen-bonding interactions to generate multifarious supramolecular networks. Remarkably, a well-resolved 1D water morphology is observed for the first time in the crystalline lattice of 1 along [1 0 0], which consists of edge-sharing tetrameric subunits and stabilized by the metal-organic host surroundings.     

Lanthanide(III) complexes with phosphoryl containing 1,8-naphthyridine: Crystal structures and vibrational spectra

The complexes of 2-[2-(diphenylphosphoryl)prop-2-yl]-1,8-naphthyridine (L) with lanthanide nitrates Ln(NO₃)₃ (Ln = Nd, Eu, Lu) were investigated to elucidate the coordination ability of a novel type of potentially tridentate ligands - phosphorylalkyl substituted naphthyridines. The X-ray crystal structures of [NdL₃]³⁺ · 3(NO₃)⁻ · MeCN (1), [EuL₃]³⁺ · 3(NO₃)⁻ · [Eu(NO₃)₃ · 4H₂O] · MeCN (2), and [LuL₃]³⁺ · 3(NO₃)⁻ · [Lu(NO₃)₃ · 3H₂O] · 2 MeCN · 0.5 H₂O (3) are reported together with their IR and Raman spectra. All the compounds studied contain isostructural [LnL₃]³⁺ cations and three NO₃⁻ counterions. Coordination of each L appears to be O,N,N tridentate-cyclic and coordination number of Ln is nine. Vibrational spectra of 1-3 are also compared with that of free ligand and model compounds.     

Self-assembly of 2D zinc metal-organic frameworks based on mixed organic ligands

Self-assembly of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid (H₂atiip) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane (dpp) gave rise to three unusual zinc metal-organic frameworks, Zn₂(bpy)₂(atiip)₂·3H₂O·2dmf (1), Zn₈(dpp)₈(atiip)₈·4H₂O (2), Zn(dpp)(atiip)·(dmf)·(H₂O) (3). All complexes possess 2D layer frameworks constructed from 1D Zn-carboxylate tubular unit for 1, 1D Zn-carboxylate helical chain for 2 and 3. In 1 and 2, the bpy or dpp act as both bridging and blocking ligands and the blocking ligands play an important role in the formation of the 2D layer frameworks. Both 2 and 3 contain two different large metallomacrocycles. Photoluminescence measurements of 1-3 in the solid state at room temperature show that all complexes exhibit luminescence, which can be assigned to an intraligand π → π^∗ transition or ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT).     

Imidazole derivatives of binuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes incorporating bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl) ligands

A series of new binuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes of the macrocyclic ligands bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)butane (L^but) and bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)-m-xylene (L^mx) have been synthesized: [Cu₂L^butBr₄] (1), [Cu₂L^but(imidazole)₂Br₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₂L^mx(μ-OH)(imidazole)₂](ClO₄)₃ (3), [Cu₂L^but(imidazole)₄](ClO₄)₄ · H₂O (4), [Cu₂L^mx(imidazole)₄](ClO₄)₄ (5), [Ni₂ L^but(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (6), [Ni₂L^but(imidazole)₆](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (7) and [Ni₂L^mx (imidazole)₄(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ · 3H₂O (8). Complexes 1, 2, 7 and 8 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. In each of the complexes, the two tridentate 1,4,7-triazacyclononane rings of the ligand facially coordinate to separate metal centres. The distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere of the copper (II) centres is completed by bromide anions in the case of 1 and/or monodentate imidazole ligands in complexes 2, 4 and 5. Complex 3 has been formulated as a monohydroxo-bridged complex featuring two terminal imidazole ligands. Complexes 6-8 feature distorted octahedral nickel (II) centres with water and/or monodentate imidazole ligands occupying the remaining coordination sites. Within the crystal structures, the ligands adopt trans conformations, with the two metal binding compartments widely separated, perhaps as a consequence of electrostatic repulsion between the cationic metal centres. The imidazole-bearing complexes may be viewed as simple models for the coordinative interaction of the binuclear complexes of bis (tacn) ligands with protein molecules bearing multiple surface-exposed histidine residues.     

Oxime-functionalized diazamesocyclic derivates and their metal complexes: Effect of the ligand backbones and anions on the generation of novel monomeric and mono-μ-Cl dimeric Cu complexes

Two oxime-functionalized diazamesocyclic derivates, namely, N,N′-bis(acetophenoneoxime)-1,4-diazacycloheptane (H₂L¹) and N,N′-bis(acetophenonoxime)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (H₂L²), have been prepared and characterized. Both ligands (obtained in the hydrochloride form) can form stable metal complexes with Cu^II and Ni^II salts, the crystal structures of which were determined by X-ray diffraction technique. The reactions of H₂L¹ with Cu(ClO₄)₂ and Ni(ClO₄)₂ afford a penta-coordinated mononuclear complex [Cu(H₂L¹)Cl] · ClO₄ (1) and a four-coordinated monomeric [Ni(HL¹)] · ClO₄ (2), in which the ligand is monodeprotonated. The ligand H₂L² also forms a quite similar mononuclear [Ni(HL²)] · ClO₄ complex with Ni(ClO₄)₂, according to our previous work. However, reactions of different Cu^II salts [Cu(ClO₄)₂, CuCl₂ and Cu(NO₃)₂ for 3, and CuSO₄ for 4] with H₂L² in the presence of NaClO₄ yield two unusual mono-μ-Cl dinuclear Cu^II complexes [Cu₂(HL²)₂Cl] · (ClO₄) (3), and [Cu₂(H₂L²)(HL²)Cl] · (ClO₄)₂ · (H₂O)(4). These results indicate that the resultant Cu^II complexes (1, 3 and 4) are sensitive to the backbones of diazamesocycles and even auxiliary anions.     

Molecular interactions of zinc(II) cyclams with polycarboxylato ligands

Four new zinc(II) cyclams of the composition {Zn(L)(tp²⁻) · H₂O}_n (1), {Zn(L)(H₂bta²⁻) · 2H₂O}_n (2), [Zn₂(L)₂(ox²⁻)] 2ClO₄ · 2DMF (3), and Zn(L)(H₂btc⁻)₂ · 2DMF (4), where L = cyclam, tp²⁻ = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate ion, H₂bta²⁻ = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate ion, ox²⁻ = oxalate ion, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide, and H₂btc⁻ = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate ion, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by a combination of analytical, spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The carboxylato ligands in the complexes 1-4 show strong coordination tendencies toward zinc(II) cyclams with hydrogen bonding interactions between the pre-organized N-H groups of the macrocycle and oxygen atoms of the carboxylato ligands. The macrocycles in 1, 2, and 4 adopt trans-III configurations with the appropriate R,R,S,S arrangement of the four chiral nitrogen centers, respectively. However, the complex 3 shows an unusual cis V conformation with the R,R,R,R nitrogen configuration. The finding of strong interactions between the carboxylato ligands and the zinc(II) ions may provide additional knowledge for the improved design of receptor-targeted zinc(II) cyclams in anti-HIV agents.     

Construction of three one-dimensional zinc(II) complexes containing pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid

Three one-dimensional zinc complexes, namely, [Zn(pzdc) · 3H₂O] · H₂O (1), [Zn₂(pzdc)₂ · 4H₂O] · 2.5H₂O (2), and [Zn(pzdc)(phen) · 4H₂O]_n (3) (H₂pzdc, pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized successfully under hydrothermal condition. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that complex 1 is a square-wave-like chain and complex 2 shows a 1D ladder-like infinite chain, while complex 3 has 1D zigzag chain structure. In all cases, the Zn(II) centers have octahedral coordination geometries. Through hydrogen bonding (such as O-H···O, O-H···N and C-H···O) and/or π-π stacking interactions, three-dimensional supramolecular networks are constructed in three complexes. Furthermore, the IR, TGA and luminescent properties are also investigated in this work.     

Hydrogen-bonded copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes and coordination polymeric structures containing reduced Schiff base ligands

Complexes [Cu(HSas)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (H₃Sas = N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspartic acid) (1), [Cu(HMeSglu)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (H₃MeSglu = (N-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-l-glutamic acid) (2), [Cu₂(Smet)₂] (H₂Smet = (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-methionine) (3), [Ni(HSas)(H₂O)] (4), [Ni₂(Smet)₂(H₂O)₂] (5), and [Ni(HSapg)₂] (H₂Sapg = (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspargine) (6) have been synthesized and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Structural determination by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed 1D coordination polymeric structures in 2 and 4, and hydrogen-bonded network structure in 5 and 6. In contrast to previously reported coordination compounds with similar ligands, the phenol remains protonated and bonded to the metal ions in 2 and 4, and also probably in 1. However, the phenolic group is non-bonded in 6.     

Potential tridentate salicylaldehyde hydrazone of arylalkanoic acid coordinate to copper(II) acting as dinegative tetradentate ligands

A chiral Schiff base N-(S)-2-(6-methoxylnaphthyl)-propanoyl-N′-(2-hydroxylbenzylidene)hydrazine (H₂L) has been synthesized. Reaction of H₂L with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O led to the formation of a metal complex {[CuL] · H₂O · 2DMF}_∞ (1). In complex 1, the potential dinegative tridentate L²⁻ ligand acting as tetradentate bridging ligand coordinate to two metal ions so as to form a novel infinite metal-organic coordination chain structure. The enantiomerically pure ligand H₂L presents two different sets of signals in the ¹H NMR spectrum either in chloroform solution or in dimethylsulfoxide solution, showing the presence of both (E) and (Z) isomers. The X-ray structural investigations of H₂L revealed that it is the fully extended E-configuration in the solid state.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of tetranuclear and trinuclear nickel(II) complexes with β-diketone-functionalized pyridinecarboxylate ligand

The new β-diketone-functionalized pyridinecarboxylate ligand 2-(3-oxo-3-phenyl-propionyl)-6-pyridinecarboxylic acid (H₂L) has been synthesized and fully characterized. Its tetranuclear and trinuclear nickel(II) coordination compounds [Ni₄L₄(DMF)(H₂O)₃]·2.5DMF·3H₂O (1) and [Ni₃L₂(OAc)₂(DMF)₂ (H₂O)₂]·DMF·H₂O (2) have also been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 has a [2 × 2] molecular grid structure and 2 is a trinuclear structure. The magnetic properties study of 1 and 2 revealed the intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the Ni(II) ions exists.     

Synthesis, structures and properties of macrocyclic nickel(II) supramolecules with imidazole pendants

Two new nickel(II) complexes with the composition [Ni(L+H)(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₃ (1) and [Ni(L)(tp)]·6H₂O (2), (L = 3,10-bis{3-(1-imidazolyl)propyl}-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane, tp = terephthalate) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by a combination of analytical, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The structure of 1 consists of monomeric cations of the formula [Ni(L+H)(CH₃CN)₂]³⁺ and perchlorate ions. The nickel(II) ion is six-coordinate with bonds to the four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and two nitrogen atoms of the axial acetonitrile ligands. One of the protonated imidazole pendants of the macrocycle is hydrogen bonded to the imidazole group of the neighboring nickel(II) macrocycle, forming an undulated 1D supramolecule. Then, the two 1D supramolecular chains are further interconnected by C-H···π interactions between the methyl group of the acetonitrile ligand and one of the imidazole groups to form a 2D double stranded supramolecular polymer. In the structure of 2, the 1D coordination polymer is formed with nickel(II) macrocycles and bridging terephthalate ions, where each 1D chain is interconnected with π-π interactions of pendant imidazole moieties of the macrocycles, resulting in the formation of a 2D supramolecule.     

Stereospecific interactions between dinuclear complex cations involving square-planar [Pt(II)(μ-S)2(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) frameworks derived from optically active octahedral Co(III) units with d- or l-penicillaminates

The reaction of the octahedral mononuclear complex, trans(N)-[Co(l-pen-N,O,S)₂]⁻ (pen = penicillaminate), with [PtCl₂(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) stereoselectively gave an optically active S-bridged dinuclear complex, [Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]Cl · 3H₂O (2Cl · 3H₂O), whose structure is enantiomeric to the previously reported [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]Cl · 3H₂O (1Cl · 3H₂O). The mixture of equimolar amounts of 1Cl · 3H₂O and 2Cl · 3H₂O in H₂O crystallizes as [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]_0.5[Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]_0.5Cl · 7H₂O (3Cl · 7H₂O), in which the enantiomeric complex cations 1 and 2 are included in the ratio of 1:1. The crystal structures of 2Cl · 3H₂O and 3Cl · 7H₂O were determined by X-ray crystallography, and compared with that of 1Cl · 3H₂O. The structural feature for 2 is essentially consistent with that for 1, except for the absolute configurations around the octahedral Co(III) center. The optically active complex cation 2 exists as a monomer, accompanied by no intermolecular interactions in the π-electronic systems of bpy moieties. In the crystals of 3Cl · 7H₂O, on the other hand, the enantiomeric complex cations, [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]⁺ and [Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]⁺, are arranged alternately while overlapping the bpy planes along a axis, and the π electronic system of the bpy framework in [Pt(bpy){Co(d-pen)₂}]⁺ interacts with those in [Pt(bpy){Co(l-pen)₂}]⁺. Differences between the crystal structures of 2Cl · 3H₂O and3Cl · 7H₂O significantly reflect their diffuse reflectance spectra. In aqueous solution, each cation in both 2Cl · 3H₂O and 3Cl · 7H₂O is comparatively put on a free environment without such intermolecular interactions.     

A series of metal-organic frameworks constructed with 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate: Syntheses, structures, and physical properties

To determine the influence of metal ion and the auxiliary ligand on the formation of metal-organic frameworks, six new coordination polymers, {[Mn₂(bpdc)(bpy)₃(H₂O)₂] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O}_n (1), {[Mn(bpdc)(dpe)] · CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]}_n (3), {[Zn(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]}_n (4), {[Cd(bpdc)(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O}_n (5), and {[Co(bpdc)(H₂O)₃] · 0.5dpe · H₂O}_n (6) (H₂bpdc = 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl) ethylene), have been synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 forms 1D helical chain structure containing two unique Mn^II ions. In 2, the bridging ligand dpe links Mn-bpdc double zigzag chains to generate a layer possesses rectangular cavities. In 3, bpdc²⁻ ligand connects to three metal centers forming a 2D network. Different from the above compounds, 4 displays a 1D double-wavelike chain. Compound 5 features a helical chain. Compound 6 also displays a helical chain with guest molecule dpe existing in the structure. These diverse structures illustrate rational adjustment of metal ions and the second ligand is a good method for the further design of helical compounds with novel structures and properties. In addition, the magnetic properties of 2, 3 and 6, the thermal stabilities and photoluminescence properties of 4 and 5 were also studied.     

Metal-organic open frameworks with one-dimension channels assembled with pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid and N-containing auxiliary ligands: Syntheses, crystal structures, and physical characterization

Four new complexes, {[Mn(imH)₂(pdc)]·H₂O}_n (1), [Zn₂(pdc)₂(H₂O)₅]·2H₂O (2), [Zn(imH)₂(pdc)]·H₂O (3), {[Zn₂(pdc)₂(bpy)(H₂O)₂]·5H₂O}_n (4) [imH = imidazole pdc = pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylate, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine] have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, PXRD, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. All the four complexes display a three-dimensional (3D) open framework with one-dimensional (1D) channels that are filled with lattice water molecules. Particularly, in 4, the lattice water molecules form an infinite water chain. Both 1 and 4 consist of 1D polymeric chains. While 2 contains a dinuclear Zn(II) unit, and 3 is a mononuclear complex. Further, the result of thermal analysis of 1 and 2 shows the robustness of the overall supramolecular three-dimensional architecture. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 exhibit strong fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature and could be significant in the field of photoactive materials.     

Manganese(II) and zinc(II) compounds via amino acid derivatives: Effects of temperature and solvents

To investigate the influence of temperature and the ratios of solvents on the design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), we have synthesized and structurally characterized a series of supramolecular assemblies based on different amino acid derivatives and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands, namely [Mn(phen)₂(phth)(H₂O)]·4H₂O (1), [Mn(phen)₂(HL1)₂]·3.5H₂O (2), [Zn(bpp)₂(L-Me)₂] (3), and [Zn(bpp)(L-Me)₂] (4) (H₂phth = phthalic acid, H₂L¹ = phthalyl-l-valine, H₂L = (+)-N-tosyl-l-glutamic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane, and L-Me = C₁₂H₁₃NO₆S-CH₃). Compounds 1 and 2, which are assembled through noncovalent interactions, were obtained by controlling the temperature. In 1, π-π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions lead to stacking in a 3D supramolecular network, while in 2, π-π stacking interactions form 1D chains that extend along the c-axis. Depending on the solvents employed, compounds 3 and 4 could be generated, with a 1D bpp-connected Zn-bpp-Zn double chain that is further hydrogen-bonded into a 2D network that extends parallel to the ac plane in 3, and a single chain in 4.     

Carboxyester hydrolysis promoted by Cu(II) complexes of pyridyl-amine carboxylate-pendant ligands

Multidentate ligands containing tripodal pyridyl-amine moieties tethered to a carboxylate group by alkyl linkers of varying lengths were synthesized to obtain a series of water-soluble ligands to elucidate the effects of the differing coordination environments on the properties of the resulting metal complexes. These new, water-soluble ligands, [bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-acetic acid (L¹), 3-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-propionic acid (L²), 4-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-butyric acid (L³), and 6-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-hexanoic acid (L⁴), were treated with copper(II) perchlorate hexahydrate to yield the corresponding Cu(II) complexes, which have all been characterized by X-ray crystallography. L¹ binds Cu(II) to form the tetrameric complex {[Cu(μ-¹)][ClO₄] · 4H₂O}₄ (1) in the solid state, whereas the Cu(II) complexes of ligands L²-L⁴ form long-chain one-dimensional polymeric complexes {[Cu(μ-L²)][ClO₄] · H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu(μ-L³)][ClO₄] · H₂O}_n (3), and {[Cu(μ-L²)][ClO₄]  · H₂O}_n (4), respectively, in the solid state. Complexes 1-4 dissolved in 10% (v/v) CH₃CN aqueous solution were tested for their ability to promote the hydrolysis of the activated ester compound 4-nitrophenylacetate (NA), with 3 being the most active complex and 1 being the least active, possibly due to differences in the ability of the carboxylate moiety to act as either a general base or a nucleophile in the hydrolysis of NA as dictated by the tether length. The pK_a values of the copper-bound aquo ligands in solution were measured by spectrophotometric titration.     

pH-value-controlled assembly of photoluminescent zinc coordination polymers

By pH-value adjustment, the reactions of zinc salt, 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H₃btc) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) yield three coordination polymers, formulated as [Zn₃(btc)₂(bpy)(H₂O)₂]_n (1), [Zn(Hbtc)(bpy)(H₂O)]_n · 3nH₂O (2) and [Zn(Hbtc)(bpy)(H₂O)]_n · 4nH₂O (3), respectively. The structure of 1 is a 3D network containing channels filled with bpy ligands. Compound 2 consists of twofold interpenetrating (10,3)-b networks, while compound 3 is a 2D layer structure. The fluorescent studies reveal that they exhibit intense violet luminescence in solid state.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of four pH-dependent Pb(II) and Cd(II) phosphonates based on a novel ligand, 3-phosphono-benzoic acid

Four metal phosphonate hybrid compounds, [Pb(Hpbc)] (1), [Pb₃(pbc)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), [Cd(H₂pbc)₂(H₂O)₂] (3) and [Cd_1.5(pbc)(H₂O)_1.5] · 0.5H₂O (4) (H₃pbc = 3-phosphono-benzoic acid) were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal/solvothermal reaction of metal acetate and 3-phosphono-benzoic acid. Compounds 1-4 were pH-dependent products and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compound 1 is a two-dimensional (2D) structure constructed by inorganic layer and organic pendant. With the increase of pH value, structure 2 shows 3D inorganic framework with distributing organic moieties in the channels. In 3, the Cd₂O₁₀ dimers are linked by alternating terminal and bridging ligands, resulting in 1D chain structure. Compound 4 is a 2D structure where the 1D inorganic chains are connected by the organic moieties of the ligands.     

Novel long bipyridine-type linking ligands containing an intervening naphthalene fragment: [Zn(L)(NO3)2], [Zn(L)(NO3)2], and [Cd(L)1.5(NO3)2] (L = (4-py)-CHN-C10H6-NCH-(4-py); L = (3-py)-CHN-C10H6-NCH-(3-py))

Novel bipyridine-type linking ligands L¹ ((4-py)-CHN-C₁₀H₆-NCH-(4-py)) and L² ((3-py)-CHN-C₁₀H₆-NCH-(3-py)), a pair of isomers due to possessing different pairs of terminal pyridyl groups, were prepared by the Schiff-base condensation. In ligand L¹, the N?N separation between the terminal pyridyl groups is 16.0 Å, with their nitrogen donor atoms at the para positions (4,4′). The corresponding N?N separation in ligand L² is 14.2 Å, with the nitrogen donor atoms at the meta positions (3,3′). 1-D zigzag-chain coordination polymers [Zn(L¹)(NO₃)₂] (1) and [Zn(L²)(NO₃)₂] (2) were prepared by reactions of Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O with ligands L¹ and L², respectively, by solution diffusion. Polymer 3, [Cd(L¹)_1.5(NO₃)₂], prepared from Cd(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O and L¹, exhibits a 1-D ladder structure, whose repeating ladder unit consists of four Cd metals and four L¹ ligands to create a large 76-membered ring with dimensions of 20.8 × 20.8 Å. All products were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.