Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Characterization of New Coordination Polymer [Co2(pydc)2(H2O)6]n·2nH2O

A coordination polymer of cobalt(II) containing the pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate (pydc) ligand and having the composition [Co2(pydc)2(H2O)6] n ·2nH2O was prepared by the hydrothermal method. The coordination polymer was characterised by FTIR, single crystal XRD, SEM, TGA–DTA, and N2 Temperature Programmed Desorption, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface area. The polymer contains two cobalt(II) ions with slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The carboxylate group at the 2-position of pyridine acts as a bridging ligand between two cobalt metal ions and this expansion leads to formation of a 1-D chain-like coordination polymer. The coordination polymer chains are packed together by well-directed hydrogen bonds to generate a three dimensional mesoporous network. The N2 TPD study shows that the polymer is mesoporous in nature and possesses slit-shaped mesopores with average pore size diameter of 17.78 nm. SEM micrographs show well-defined channels in the solid crystals confirming the porosity of polymer. Thermogravimetric studies indicate the robust nature of the polymer. The polymer undergoes thermal decomposition in well-defined steps leading to the formation of cobaltous oxide as the end-product.