Two novel zinc compounds with in situ formation of 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole

Two novel zinc compounds, namely, [Zn(4,4′-Hbpt)Cl2]n (1) and [Zn(4,4′-Hbpt)Br2]n (2) (4,4′-Hbpt = 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole) have been hydrothermally synthesized. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and further characterized by elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), infrared spectra (IR), and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. Compound 1 exhibits a 1-D helical chain structure constructed by 4,4′-Hbpt ligands connecting zinc cations. The helical chains with different hands further link to each other via weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds (Ar–H⋯Cl, Ar–H⋯N) to form a 2-D antiparallel β sheet-like layer, while, compound 2 reveals a 1-D zigzag achiral chain structure. The photoluminescence and thermal stability studies indicate both compounds are good candidates as efficient luminescent materials.