Syntheses, structure and properties of three-dimensional pillared-layer Ag(I)–Ln(III) heterometallic coordination polymers based on mixed isonicotinate and hemimellitate ligands

Three pillared-layer 4d–4f Ag(I)–Ln(III) heterometallic coordination polymers (HCPs), formulated as [Ln2Ag(hma)2(ina)(H2O)2]n nH2O [Ln=La(1), Pr(2), Nd(3); Hina=isonicotinic acid, H3hma=hemimellitic acid], have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffractions confirm that they are isostructural, which features a three-dimensional (3D) pillared-layer heterometallic structure built upon the strictly alternate arrangement of lanthanide-organic layers and [Ag(ina)] pillars. The layers and pillars are connected to each other by Ln–O and Ag–O coordination bonds. The photoluminescent property of the Nd derivative (3) has also been investigated.