Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes with an N- and O-Donor Ligand: Structural Characterization, Jahn-Teller Effect and Fluorescence

Cu(II) and Zn(II) salts react with 5-(1H-benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)isophthalic acid (H2L) under hydrothermal conditions to yield two new complexes [Cu(L)(DMF)(H2O)] (1) and [Zn(L)] (2) [DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide], which have been characterized by single-crystal and powder Xray diffraction, IR, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. As a result, 1 shows a chain structure, further linked together by hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions to give rise to a 3D supramolecular framework. Complex 2 is a binodal (3,6)-connected 2D kgd network with (4)2(4.6.8) topology. The influential factors of synthetic strategies on coordination modes of the ligand and structures of the resulting complexes are embodied in the study. Significantly, 1 has structural features consistent with the Jahn-Teller effect. Furthermore, the fluorescence properties of 2 were preliminarily investigated.