Three main group metal coordination polymers built by 2-propyl-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate

Three coordination polymers, [Sr(H2PIDC)2(H2O)2]n (1), [Ba(H2PIDC)2(H2O)3]n (2) and [Pb3(HPIDC)3]n (3) (H3PIDC = 2-propyl-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized, and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It is shown that the ligand H3PIDC can be singly deprotonated or doubly deprotonated, and coordinate to main group metal Sr(II), Ba(II) or Pb(II) ions in various modes. Compound 1 exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) sheet built up by μ2-H2PIDC− ligands and Sr(II) atoms. Compound 2 assumes an infinite chain composed by μ2-H2PIDC− ligands and Ba(II) atoms. Compound 3 possesses a three-dimensional (3D) structure constructed from 2D layer motifs linked by μ4-HPIDC2− units. The thermal and solid state fluorescence properties of complexes 1–3 have also been investigated at room temperature.