Metal ions directed self-assembly based on rigid polycarboxylate ligand 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid and flexible N-heterocyclic ligand 1,4-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene

Two new complexes {[Cd(bmimx)0.5(tbip)(H2O)] · H2O}n (1) and [Zn(bmimx)(tbip)]n (2) (bmimx = 1,4-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene, H2tbip = 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid) based on mixed ligands have been hydrothermally synthesized by varying the metal ions. Structural analysis reveals that complex 1 displays a 2D layer structure with a 44-sql topology; complex 2 exhibits a 3D 4-fold interpenetrated framework with sra topology. The structural differences between 1 and 2 indicate that metal ions have significant effects on the formation of the final architectures. In addition, the thermal stabilities and photoluminescent properties of the two complexes were also investigated.