1D coordination network formed by a cadmium based pyridyl urea helical monomer

Abstract

Herein, we report the metal complexation properties of a macrocyclic ligand (L) that contains three pyridines as well as three urea groups. Linear and strand like ligands are typically used to afford helical coordination polymer. Our reported macrocyclic ligand (L) has remarkable flexibility and can twist upon dative bond formation. Two macrocyclic ligands complex with three cadmium atoms to form a helicate monomeric structure [Cd3L2(H2O)6(CH3CN)2]6+, which extends to a 1D polymeric structure via hydrogen-bonding. We also investigated the binding property of this new ligand in solution by NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. These results together with diffusion NMR studies suggest that in solution this ligand also forms an oligomeric complex with cadmium.