Supramolecular architecture constructed by p-carboxycinnamic acid and d-block metal ions

Abstract Four new complexes, [Zn(cca)(phen)] n ( 1 ), [Co(cca) 0.5 (Hcca)(phen)(H 2 O)] ( 2 ), [Cu(cca)(phen)] n  ·  n H 2 O ( 3 ), and [Mn(cca)(phen)(H 2 O)] n  · 0.25 n H 2 O ( 4 ) (H 2 cca =  p -carboxycinnamic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is of 3D structure constructed by coordination bonds, while complexes 2 – 4 consist of 3D supramolecular networks, which are assembled by coordination bonds, hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. In these complexes, p -carboxycinnamate anions (Hcca − and cca 2− ) adopt tetradentate, bidentate and monodentate modes to coordinate to metal ions, resulting in variety of supramolecular structures.