A dual-functional 2D coordination polymer exhibiting photomechanical and electrically conductive behaviours

A photoactive two-dimensional coordination polymer (2D CP) [Zn2(4-spy)2(bdc)2]n (1) [4-spy = 4-styrylpyridine and H2bdc = 1,4-benzendicarboxylic acid] undergoes a photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction upon UV irradiation. Interestingly, the crystals of 1 show different photomechanical effects, such as jumping, swelling, and splitting, during UV irradiation. In addition, the CP was employed for conductivity measurements before and after UV irradiation via current density-voltage characteristics and impedance spectroscopy, which suggest that they are semiconducting in nature and can be used as Schottky diodes. Thus, this work demonstrates the potential dual applications of a 2D CP based on photosalient and conductivity properties.

De novo synthesis of hybrid d-f block metal complex salts for electronic charge transport applications

The advent of d-d type complex salts for designing smart functional materials with versatile utility inspired us to develop a novel type of M(II)-Ce(IV) complex salts [M(II) = Cu and Zn ions]. In this study, we present for the first time a holistic approach to design and prepare metal complex salts of the novel hybrid d-f block type, [Cu(bpy)₂]₂[Ce(NO₃)₆]₂ (1), [Cu(phen)₂(NO₃)]₂[Ce(NO₃)₆](HNO₃) (2), [Zn(bpy)₂(NO₃)][ClO₄] (3), and [Zn(phen)₂(NO₃)]₂ [Ce(NO₃)₆] (4); [bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline]. The intrinsic structural and morphological properties of the compounds have been revealed by employing a suite of analytical and spectroscopic methods. X-ray structural analysis reveals that the copper(II) centres in the cationic complex units of 1 and 2 adopt a highly distorted tetrahedral and a rare bicapped square pyramidal coordination geometry, respectively. The zinc(II) ions in both 3 and 4 adopt the rare bicapped square pyramidal geometry while the cerium(IV) ions in 1, 2 and 4 exist in a dodecahedral geometry. Investigation of supramolecular interactions reveals that intermolecular O⋯H and O⋯π short contacts bind the complex units in 1, while predominant π⋯π interactions, along with O⋯H and O⋯π short contacts, produce the binding force among the complex units in 2. We further employed the complex salts (1-4) to construct Schottky devices to reveal the role of these new complex salts in the charge-transport phenomenon. The carrier mobilities (μ) for salts 1-4 were determined to be 1.76 × 10^-6, 9.02 × 10^-6, 1.86 × 10^-8, and 4.31 × 10^-8 m² V^-1 s^-1, with respective transit times (τ) of 439, 85, 4.17 × 10³, and 1.79 × 10³ ns, which suggest that complex salt 2 is the best candidate with the highest transport properties among all the complex salts. A crystal engineering perspective sheds light on the charge-transport properties of the complex salts, emphasizing the attribution of the best performance of 2 to its predominant π⋯π interactions. The synthesis of this new type of complex salts, their physicochemical properties and their charge-transport applications envisage great promise for the development of novel crystalline materials with smart functionalities.

Recent advances in structures and applications of coordination polymers based on cyclohexanepolycarboxylate ligands

Coordination polymers (CPs) are emerging crystalline materials constructed by metal entities and organic ligands through coordination bonds, containing infinite coordination units in one, two, or three dimensions. Here an overview...

Photomechanical effect in Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) 1D coordination polymers: photosalient to non-salient behaviour

Two Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) 1D coordination polymers undergo [2+2] photodimerization, wherein Zn-CP shows mechanical motion and generates a free cyclobutane ligand, while Cd-CP does not.

One-pot crystallization of two 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate-based tetranuclear Cu(ii) compounds and their DNA binding affinities

Two new tetranuclear Cu(ii) compounds have been synthesized using flexible linker 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid in an one-pot crystallization which exhibit dissimilar affinities to DNA binding.

Exploration of semiconducting properties of Zn(ii)- and Cd(ii)-based coordination polymers with dicarboxylate of a chair-type backbone

This study highlights the comparison of electrical properties and device applications of d10 metal ion based coordination polymers.

Electrically conductive 1D coordination polymers: design strategies and controlling factors

Due to the easy functionality and structural diversity of coordination polymers (CPs) coupled with superior thermal stability, many researchers have been prompted to explore the opportunity of introducing these hybrid materials as active components in various electronic devices, such as light emitting diodes (LED), solar cells, field effect transistors (FET), and Schottky barrier diodes (SBD). Therefore, the judicious selection of the structural components of CPs is directly related to their structure-property relationship and applications. One-dimensional (1D) CPs have recently emerged as excellent electrical conductors and are gaining enormous attention owing to their simple chain-like coordination arrays. In this article, we review the rational design strategies for synthesising 1D CPs and also point out the structural factors that affect the charge transport properties as well as the electrical conductivity of these materials.

Structural diversity induced by ligand geometry: From two-dimensional to three-dimensional coordination polymers with pyridine

Two coordination polymers with two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures are, {[Zn3(bdc)3(py)2]·2NMP}n (1) (H2bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid) and [Zn2(NO3−)(btc)(nmp)2(py)]n (2) (H3btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), synthesized by hot-solution reactions of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, pyridine (py) and two different ligands in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). {[Zn3(bdc)3(py)2]·2NMP}n exhibits two-dimensional networks with trizinc subunits [Zn3(COO)6py2] stacking with a layer-by-layer alignment, and there are strong π–π interactions involving py from adjacent layers. [Zn2(NO3−)(btc)(nmp)2(py)]n has a three-dimensional structure containing two independent zinc ions, tetrahedral ZnO4 and octahedral ZnNO5. Based on X-ray studies, the coordination polymers {[Zn3(bdc)3(py)2]·2NMP}n (1) have a porous structure with NMP guest molecules. In contrast, X-ray studies revealed that coordination polymer [Zn2(NO3−)(btc)(nmp)2(py)]n (2) had a larger void that was inhabited by coordinated py and NMP. In addition, the form of the two coordination polymers changed from two-dimensional to three-dimensional with transformation of the ligand geometry.

Electrically conductive Cu(II)-based 1D coordination polymer with theoretical insight

A nitro-functionalized Cu(ii)-based one-dimensional coordination polymer (1D CP) [Cu(nip)(4-phpy)2]n (1) (H2nip = 5-nitroisophthalic acid and 4-phpy = 4-phenylpyridine) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). In the solid-state self-assembly of 1, two sets of weak intermolecular forces, CHπ interaction among the axially bound 4-phpy ligands and ππ interaction among bridging nip ligands from adjacent 1D coordination polymeric chains led to 3D supramolecular packing. Interestingly compound 1 exhibited electrical conductivity in the semiconducting regime and behaved as a Schottky barrier diode.

Fabrication of Cu(ii) based halobenzoate appended ladder polymers with efficient charge transport properties

Two novel 1D Cu(ii) CPs based on halo-substituted benzoate ligands together with an N-donor bpe spacer ligand exhibit high electrical conductivity and reveal Schottky diode behaviour.