Syntheses, structures, and luminescent properties of cadmium (II) complexes: 3D supramolecular [Cd(phen)(NO3)(NO2)(H2O)]n and Cd(phen)2(NO3)(NO2) constructed by π–π stacking interactions

Two novel complexes [Cd(phen)(NO3)(NO2)(H2O)]n (1) and Cd(phen)2(NO3)(NO2) (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized by the reductive reaction of metal source Cd(NO3)2·4H2O with phen and benzidine in the mixed solution of DMF, ethanol and water. Crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a one-dimensional (1D) zig-zag infinite chain in which (phen)Cd(II) units were bridged by two O atoms of NO2−. The three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure of 1 is constructed through hydrogen-bond and aromatic π–π stacking interactions between adjacent metal–organic polymeric coordination chains. Complex 2 is a mononuclear structure, and self-assembled through π–π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure. The complex 1 exhibits luminescent property in the near-UV at room temperature in solutions of DMSO and DMF with the emission energy following the order DMF < DMSO, which might be ascribed to the presence of a highly polarized ground state. Complexes 1 and 2 have blue-purple luminescence at room temperature in the solid state. The blue-purple luminescence of the complexes is due to π* → π transition of phen.