A novel one-dimensional double-chain-like ZnII coordination polymer: poly[bis(1-benzyl-1H-imidazole-κN3)tris(μ-cyanido-κ2C:N)(cyanido-κC)disilver(I)zinc(II)].

One of most interesting systems of coordination polymers constructed from the first-row transition metals is the porous ZnII coordination polymer system, but the numbers of such polymers containing N-donor linkers are still limited. The title double-chain-like ZnII coordination polymer, [Ag2Zn(CN)4(C10H10N2)2]n, presents a one-dimensional linear coordination polymer structure in which ZnII ions are linked by bridging anionic dicyanidoargentate(I) units along the crystallographic b axis and each ZnII ion is additionally coordinated by a terminal dicyanidoargentate(I) unit and two terminal 1-benzyl-1H-imidazole (BZI) ligands, giving a five-coordinated ZnII ion. Interestingly, there are strong intermolecular AgI...AgI interactions between terminal and bridging dicyanidoargentate(I) units and C-H...π interactions between the phenyl rings of BZI ligands of adjacent one-dimensional linear chains, providing a one-dimensional linear double-chain-like structure. The supramolecular three-dimensional framework is stabilized by C-H...π interactions between the phenyl rings of BZI ligands and by AgI...AgI interactions between adjacent double chains. The photoluminescence properties have been studied.