Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Blue Luminescent Cadmium(II) Coordination Networks with 4,4′-Bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl from Different Solvent Systems

Two supramolecular complexes, [Cd(bimb)2Cl2] (1) and [Cd(bimb)(DMF)Cl2]·DMF (2) [bimb=4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl], were synthesized by reactions of CdCl2·2.5H2O with bimb ligand in ethanol and N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF), respectively, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is an infinite 2D grid network bridged by bimb ligands, and the 2D sheets were further linked by C–H ⃛Cl hydrogen bonds to form a polycatenated 3D framework. Complex 2 has dicadmium(II) di-μ-chloride units which are connected by bimb bridging ligands to form an infinite non-interpenetrating 2D network. The results provide a nice example of the solvent system exerting a great effect on the construction of supramolecular frameworks.