Photoluminescence properties of three d10 complexes constructed from the bifunctional benzimidazole-carboxylate-based connector

To study the photoluminescence properties, three 2D complexes {Ag2(Hmbbc)2(ClO4)2(H2O)}n (1), {Ag(mbbc)}n (2) and {Cd(mbbc)2}n (3) based on d10 metal centres and flexible ligand 4′-[4-methyl-6-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazoly-l-2-group)-2-n-propyl-1H-benzimidazolylmethyl]-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid (Hmbbc) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Complex 1 possesses a 2D layer architecture, which comprises two crystallographically 2D motifs, whereas complex 2 features a binuclear-based 2D network with Ag⋯Ag distance of 7.667 Å. In complex 3, the Hmbbc acts as a bisdentate connector bridging Cd(N2O4) to form a 2D framework. In contrast to mbbcNa, the phosphorescence emission of complexes 1 and 2 has been enhanced, indicating metal center and structure-dependent photoluminescence.