Supramolecular Behavior of an Isomorphous Series of Five Bis(2-methylimidazolium 2,6-dicarboxypyridine) M(II) Complexes

Abstract

The supramolecular chemistry and crystal structures of five bis(2-methylimidazolium 2,6-dicarboxypyridine) M(II) complexes, where M = Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, and 7:3 Mn/Cu (1−5, respectively), are reported. These complexes form building blocks with nearly identical molecular structures that crystallize in the same packing pattern. Anions of 2,6-dicarboxypyridine and cations of 2-methylimidazole form N−H···O and O−H···O hydrogen bonds that dominate crystal packing by forming linear ribbons of molecules. Thus, complexes 1−5 form an isomorphous series with a single robust crystalline architecture that accommodates five different transition metals without altering molecular packing. The growth of crystals from solutions that contain two different metal complexes produces mixed crystals in which mixtures of the different metal complexes are incorporated in the same relative molar ratio present in solution. This technique was used to grow crystals of 5 with Mn and Cu complexes in a 7:3 molar ratio. Complexes 1−5 form c...