Controllable assembly of metal-directed coordination polymers under diverse conditions: a case study of the M(II)-H3tma/Bpt mixed-ligand system.

A series of new metal-organic polymeric complexes, [[Co(bpt)(Htma)(H2O)3].2.25H2O]n (1), [Co(bpt)(Htma)(H2O)]n (2), [Ni(bpt)(Htma)(H2O)]n (3), [Zn(bpt)2(H2tma)2].6H2O (4), [[Cd(bpt)(Htma)(H2O)].(C2H5OH)(H2O)1.5]n (5), and [[Cd(bpt)(Htma)(H2O)2].5.5H2O]n (6), was prepared from solution reactions of 4-amino-3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (bpt) and trimesic acid (H3tma) with different metal salts under diverse conditions. All these compounds were structurally determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, and the bulk new materials were further identified by X-ray powder diffraction. Complexes 1 and 6 show 1-D zigzag or linear Htma-bridged polymeric chains, with the terminal bpt ligands as pendants, which are extended to 2-D hydrogen-bonded arrays with 4.8(2) or (6,3) network topology. Coordination polymers 2 and 3, in which the 2-D corrugated metal-organic frameworks make the interdigitated 3-D packing, are isostructural. Complex 4 has a mononuclear structure, and its subunits are hydrogen-bonded to each other to give a 2-D grid-like net. For complex 5, the Cd(II) centers are linked by bpt/Htma ligands to form a 2-D (4,4) coordination layer, and these layers are interdigitated in pairs. Notably, secondary noncovalent forces, such as hydrogen bonds, play an important role in extending and stabilizing these structural topologies. Interestingly, distinct products are obtained for Co(II) (1 and 2) and Cd(II) (5 and 6) under ambient or hydrothermal conditions; however, for Ni(II) and Zn(II), single products, 3 and 4, are generated. The thermal stabilities of 1-6 were studied by thermogravimetric analysis of mass loss. The desorption/adsorption properties of the porous material 5 are also discussed. Solid-state luminescent spectra of the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes, 4-6, indicate intense fluorescent emissions at ca. 380 nm.