Nature of metal-dependent assemblies of four coordination polymers based on imidazole substitute isophthalate ligand: Syntheses and crystal structures

Four new transition metal coordination polymers have been synthesized in the presence of 5-(1-H-imidazole-1-yl)isophthalate and different transition metal cations. The structural diversity indicates that the effect of metal cations is critical in construction of polymeric arrangement. Moreover, the solid-state luminescent and the magnetic properties of them were investigated. [Display omitted] •Four CPs with same ligand and different metal cations have been obtained.•The nature of metal cations is very critical for the structural features.•The CPs possess good solid-state luminescent and the magnetic properties. Four novel coordination polymers with distinct different structures, {[CdL(H2O)]·0.5H2O}n (1), {[ZnL(H2O)]·H2O}n (2), {[CoL(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (3), and {[NiL(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (4) (L=5-(1-H-imidazole-1-yl)isophthalate) have been synthesized by the reaction of different transition metal cations with a rigid bi-functional ligand L. 1 possesses three-dimensional (3D) network framework, in which Cd(II) center is six coordinated by four L ligands and one aqua molecule. In compound 2, Zn(II) center adopts tetrahedral geometry and coordinated by three L ligands and one aqua molecule. 2 displays a [-AB-(H2O)n-AB-(H2O)n-] fashion 3D supramolecular network, in which A and B are two types of 2D covalent coordination layers. 3 and 4 are isostructural, metal center is six coordinated by three L ligands and two aqua molecules, and the 2D coordination layers construct the 3D supramolecular network with 1D rectangular channels via OH⋯O hydrogen bonds. The structural variation depends on the nature of metal cations. Solid-state luminescent for compounds 1–2 and magnetic properties for compounds 3–4 have been investigated.