Synthesis, crystal structures and catalytic properties of copper(II) and cobalt(II) coordination polymers based on a flexible benzimidazole ligand

Two coordination polymers, namely [Cu(L)2]·(NO3)2 (1) and [Co(L)(chdc)]·2H2O (2) [(chdc = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, L = 1,3-bis-(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole-1-yl-methylene)-benzene], based on a flexible 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole ligand have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods and single-crystal diffraction. Complex 1 shows a 2D (4,4) network structure linked by L ligands while complex 2 displays a 1D ladder-like chain bridged by L and chdc ligands. The catalytic activities of both complexes for the degradation of methyl orange have been investigated.