A new one-dimensional Cd(II) coordination polymer with a two-dimensional layered structure incorporating 2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole and benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate ligands.

The N-heterocyclic ligand 2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole (imb) has a rich variety of coordination modes and can lead to polymers with intriguing structures and interesting properties. In the coordination polymer catena-poly[[cadmium(II)-bis[μ-benzene-1,2-dicarboxylato-κ(4)O(1),O(1'):O(2),O(2')]-cadmium(II)-bis{μ-2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole}-κ(2)N(2):N(3);κ(2)N(3):N(2)] dimethylformamide disolvate], {[Cd(C8H4O4)(C11H10N4)]·C3H7NO}n, (I), each Cd(II) ion exhibits an irregular octahedral CdO4N2 coordination geometry and is coordinated by four O atoms from two symmetry-related benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate (1,2-bdic(2-)) ligands and two N atoms from two symmetry-related imb ligands. Two Cd(II) ions are connected by two benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate ligands to generate a binuclear [Cd2(1,2-bdic)2] unit. The binuclear units are further connected into a one-dimensional chain by pairs of bridging imb ligands. These one-dimensional chains are further connected through N-H...O hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions, leading to a two-dimensional layered structure. The dimethylformamide solvent molecules are organized in dimeric pairs via weak interactions. In addition, the title polymer exhibits good fluorescence properties in the solid state at room temperature.