Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Fluorescent Properties of Three Complexes Constructed From 2-(1H-imidazole-1-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole

Three new complexes with the formulas [HgI2(imb)2] (1), [Cd(SCN)(H2O)(imb)4]·(SCN)·4H2O (2), and [Cd(OH)2(imb)2 (4,4′-bipy)2] (3) have been obtained through the reactions of an unsymmetrical ligand 2-(1H-imidazole-1-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (imb) with Hg(II) or Cd(II) salts at room temperature. In complex 1, imb ligands coordinate to Hg(II) ions with two different monodentate coordination modes. While in complexes 2 and 3, the imb ligands coordinate to Cd(II) ions with one monodentate coordination mode. This shows that the change of the metal ions and anions can influence the coordination modes of the imb ligand. Additionally, their fluorescent properties also have been investigated.