Synthesis, structural characterization and luminescence studies of three novel complexes of asymmetric 5-(1-imidazolyl)pyrimidine ligand

Three novel complexes (L)2CdI2 (1), (L)4Zn(NO3)2 (2) and (L)2Cd(NO3)2·(CH3CN)2 (3) were prepared based on asymmetric ligand 5-(1-imidazolyl)pyrimidine (L) with metal salts, respectively. The single-crystal structure reveals that L acts as a monodentate ligand to coordinate a M(II) center to generate a discrete {(L)2CdI2} in 1 and a tetrahedral [Zn(L)4]2+ moiety in 2, respectively. For 3, ligands L as bridging bidentate ligands link two Cd(II) centres to generate a (4, 4) net architecture, further arrange in an –AA– stacking fashion to generate inerratic channels encapsulated guest acetonitrile molecules. In addition, the luminescent properties of L and 1–3 were investigated primarily in the solid state. The structure–property relationship indicates the luminescent property is basically related to its incorporation into the metal-containing complexes, as well as the molecular coplanarity and the intermolecular π–π interactions.