Synthesis, structures, and gas adsorption properties of Hg(II) and Cd(II) complexes constructed from two acylhydrazone ligands with multiple coordination sites

Abstract

Two chain-like acylhydrazone ligands (L1 and L2) were synthesized from Schiff base condensation reaction of 3,3′-(1,4-piperazine-bis-(methylene)-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde)) (b) with isonicotinic hydrazide or nicotinic hydrazide, respectively. In the presence of Hg(II) or Cd(II) ions and in DMF/methanol solution, three complexes, formulated as {[Hg3L1Br6]·4DMF}n (1), {[Hg2L2I4]·2DMF}n (2), and [Cd4(L2)2I8(H2O)2]·4DMF (3), were synthesized and further characterized via elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 exists as a 1D zag-zig chain polymer and complex 2 exists as a 1D looped chain polymer. Complex 3 exists as a rare tetranuclear structure. The structural differences of the three complexes and the coordination competition among the coordination sites were analyzed, and the results showed that the pyridyl nitrogen atoms have an obvious coordination ability prior to other sites. Furthermore, gas adsorption measurements were carried out, which show that the three complexes exhibit good adsorption capacity towards CH3OH over N2, H2, O2, and CO2.