Three new d10 coordination polymers based on 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole ligand: Synthesis, structures and properties

Three coordination polymers containing 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PyHBIm) ligand, namely {[Zn3(PyBIm)3(PyHBIm)2(tma)(H2O)]•H2O}n (1), [Zn(PyHBIm)(oba)]n (2), [Cd(PyHBIm)(oba)]n (3), (tma = trimesate, oba = 4,4′-oxybis-(benzoate)), have been prepared through hydrothermal reaction. Compound 1 exhibits one-dimensional (1D) helical structure. However, compounds 2 and 3 display 1D meso-helical structure. These 1D structures are further assembled into three-dimensional (3D) networks through aromatic π–π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonding interactions. Moreover they all exhibit strong photoluminescence at room temperature and may be good candidates for potential luminescence materials.