Synthesis, structures, and fluorescence of two cadmium(II) coordination polymers with a semirigid bis-benzimidazole

Compounds [CdLCl2] n (1) and {[Cd(L)2(ClO4)]·ClO4} n (2), where L = 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, have been synthesized by hydrothermal method, and characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, Powder XRD, and X-ray crystallographic diffraction. Cd(II) in 1 and 2 are both trigonal bipyramidal. Different cadmium salts of chloride and perchlorate lead to different configurations of [Cd2L2]2+, trans-form in 1 but trans and cis-forms in 2. The 1-D beaded chains of 1 are further linked to generate a 3-D supramolecular architecture by strong π–π stacking interactions as well as intermolecular C–H ··· Cl hydrogen bonds. In 2, the 1-D beaded chains are further assembled by intermolecular C–H ··· O hydrogen bonds to form a 2-D layer. Solid-state fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 were investigated at room temperature.