Syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties of two new 1D d10 coordination polymers constructed from 2,2′-bibenzimidazole and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate

Two novel interesting d10 metal coordination polymers, [Zn(H2bibzim)(BDC)]n (1) and [Cd(H2bibzim)(BDC)]n (2) [H2bibzim=2,2′-bibenzimidazole, BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate] have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. Both 1 and 2 are constructed from infinite neutral zigzag-like one-dimensional (1D) chains. The π–π interactions and interchain hydrogen-bonding interactions further extend the 1D arrangement to generate a 3D supramolecular architecture for 1 and 2. Both complexes have high thermal stability and display strong blue fluorescent emissions in the solid state upon photo-excitation at 365 nm at room temperature. They are the first two examples that 2,2′-bibenzimidazole has been introduced into the d10 coordination polymeric framework.