Three new complexes synthesized from an imidazole-based dicarboxylate ligand containing hydroxymethyl group

Three new complexes, [Cd(H2hmIDC)(bpy)]n (1), {[Co4(HIDC)4(bpy)4]·14H2O}n (2) and {[Co5(IDC)2(HIDC)2(phen)4(H2O)2]·12H2O}n (3) (H4hmIDC = 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1 H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, H3IDC = imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, bpy = 2,2’-bipyridyl, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), were obtained under hydrothermal conditions by using H4hmIDC as initial reactant. Complex 1 is a zigzag chain containing angular [Cd(phen)]2+ node and H2hmIDC2- linker, compound 2 is a discrete Co4 square, while 3 is a 1D chain based on Co4 square motifs similar to that in complex 2. In complex 1, the hydroxymethyl group of the H4hmIDC molecule retains integrated and acts as effective hydrogen bonding interaction site, while in complexes 2 and 3, all the hydroxymethyl groups are lost in situ. The hydroxymethyl groups undergo different reactions directed by metal ions.