Structural diversity in two dimensional chiral coordination polymers involving 4,4′-bipyridine and l-cysteate as bridging ligands with Zn and Cd metal centres: Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystallographic studies

Two chiral coordination polymers involving amino acid backbone l-cysteic acid (H₂l-cys) and N-donor ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) {Cd(l-cys)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)}3.5H₂O]_n1, {Zn₂(l-cys)₂(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄}·(H₂O)·(4,4′-bpy)]_n2 with rectangular grids have been synthesized. Both compounds are insoluble in common polar/non-polar solvents and well characterized by various physico-chemical techniques such as CHN, IR, TGA, NMR, solid state CD and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Complexes 1 and 2 comprise l-cysteate dianions self assembled into chiral coordination polymers by bridging the adjacent metal centres through the carboxylate oxygen generating one-dimensional helical chains. The helical chains are pillared by 4,4′-bpy generating two dimensional network. Complex 1 generates two dimensional (4,4) rectangular grid network with dimension 4.77 Å × 11.74 Å (based on d_Cd···Cd) involving with the edge sharing l-cys and 4,4′-bpy ligands, respectively. Complex 2 possesses a brick-wall type (6,3) network topology with edge lengths of the grids 11.42 Å × 10.11 Å based on d_Zn···Zn. Lattice water molecules are encapsulated between the adjacent rectangular grids via hydrogen bonding interactions. One 4,4′-bpy moiety is stacked between the adjacent layers of brick-wall network via weak π···π interaction with the edge sharing N-donor ligand. Even though both the complexes are rigid and stable, N₂ adsorption studies by these complexes revealed not much promising results. The terminal protruding sulphonate groups, angular orientation of the grids within the two-dimensional network and interpenetration of the adjacent offset sheets concomitantly prevent the formation of through tubular channels. Flexible coordination geometry around the metal centre and the versatile coordination mode of the amino carboxylate group from the l-cys moiety are accountable for the variation of the appealing network topology in these complexes. Chiral nature is established by solid state CD spectrum which shows a positive cotton effect for both complexes.