Metal Ion-Driven Assembly of Two New Coordination Polymers Constructed by Asymmetric Tricarboxylate and Imidazole-Containing Ligands: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Luminescent Properties

Two new coordination polymers, namely, {[Cd-3(bpt)(2)(bimb)(2)]2(H2O)}(n) (1) and [Zn-3(bpt)(2)(bimb)(2)](n) (2) (bpt=biphenyl-3,4,5-tricarboxylate, bimb=1,4-bis(1-imidazol-yl)-2,5-dimethyl benzene), have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterised by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Complex 1 exhibits a trinodal (4,4,4)-connected topology with Schlafli symbol of (4.6(2).8(3))(4).(6(4).8(2)). Complex 2 is also a three-dimensional structure and displays a (3,4,6)-connected topology with Schlafli symbol of (4.6(2))(2).(4(2).6(6).8(5).10(2)).(6(4).8(2)). It is shown that the asymmetrically tricarboxylate can bear diverse structures regulated by metal ions. The photoluminescence behaviours of compounds 1 and 2 were also discussed.