Synthesis, crystal structure, and photophysical properties of a double open cubane-like Cd(II) complex based on 2-substituted-8-hydroxyquinoline

Abstract

A 2-substituted-8-hydroxyquinoline (E)-2-[2-(3-thienyl)ethenyl]-8-quinolinol (HL) was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Using solvothermal method, a tetranuclear complex [Cd4L6Br2]·6DMF (1) was fabricated by assembly of Cd(II) with HL. X-ray structural analysis shows that 1 exhibits a double open cubane-like core structure, which is bridged by six 8-hydroxyquinolinate-based ligands. The supramolecular structure of 1 features a 3-D porous solid constructed by aromatic stacking interactions, C–H···π interactions and C–H···O hydrogen bonds. The assembly of cadmium salts and HL in solution was investigated by UV–vis and photoluminescence. We also studied the thermal stability and photophysical properties (fluorescent emission, lifetime, and quantum yield) of 1. The results show that 1 emits yellow luminescence in the solid state.