One-dimensional silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes with 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)cyclohexane (N-BBzBimCH)

The crystal structures of four Ag(I) and Hg(II) complexes of the ligand 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)cyclohexane (N-BBzBimCH) have been described, that is, [Hg2(N-BBzBimCH)Cl4] (1), [Hg(N-BBzBimCH)Br2] (2), [Ag(N-BBzBimCH)](NO3)(H2O) (3) and [Ag2(N-BBzBimCH)(CF3OCO)2] (4). All these compounds show 1D polymeric structures in the solid state. In complexes 1 and 4, the chloride ions and the trifluoroacetate groups bridge the [Hg2(N-BBzBimCH)Cl2] and [Ag2(N-BBzBimCH)] fragments, respectively, to generate 1D polymers. While the bromide ions in complex 2 and nitrate groups in complex 3 are only serving as terminal ligands to suffice the coordination geometry of the metal centers. In all cases, weak intermolecular interactions such as C–H⋯X (X = Cl, Br) contacts, hydrogen bonds, π–π interactions and C–H⋯π stacking play important roles to extend the 1D chain structures to 2D network. Solid state fluorescence of these compounds was also studied.