Coordination chemistry of the nitro-terephthalate molecule, highlighting two new main group complexes

Two main group coordination compounds, Pb(NO2TA) (1) and [In(OH)(NO2TA)]·(H2O)2.99(7) (2) were grown as single crystals via hydrothermal synthesis (NO2TA = nitro-terephthalate). Coordination polymer 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, and forms a layered structure in which lead atoms are bridged or pillared by four symmetry-equivalent ligands. Framework 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Imma and forms a 3-D material with rhombic channels along the b axis direction, which are filled with disordered water molecules. [Display omitted] ► New indium and lead nitro-terephthalate coordination compounds. ► Structural comparison with known bismuth and uranium nitro-terephthalate coordination compounds. ► Cations influence formation of clusters, layers, solvent-filled channels, or non-porous frameworks. ► Ligand-to-metal charge transfer based luminescence is quenched by the nitro-group.