Two 2D metal–organic frameworks based on 2,2′-bibenzimidazole ligand with (6,3) net topology

Two 2D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn4(Hbbim)4(bbim)2] 2H2O}n (1) and [Cd2(Hbbim)2(bbim)]n (2) (H2bbim = 2,2′-bibenzimidazole) were obtained by solvothermal reaction and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Different metal ions, Cd(II)/Zn(II), adopt very different coordination geometries though two title compounds both have a 2D honeycomb network with (6,3) topology. The frameworks of compounds 1 and 2 are stable below 360 °C and 475 °C, respectively. Solid-state luminescent spectroscopy of compound 2 exhibits an emission peak at 407 nm.