Zinc(II) complexes with an imidazolylpyridine ligand: luminescence and hydrogen bonding

Abstract

ZnLCl and [H2L]2[ZnCl4], based on 2-(1-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine (HL), have been synthesized. There is a short intraionic O–H···N hydrogen bond between the hydroxyimidazolyl and pyridyl of H2L+ cations (N···O 2.608(2) Å) in the structure of [H2L]2[ZnCl4]. The formation of this rather strong hydrogen bond is confirmed by IR spectroscopy through a broad band at 3200–2200 cm−1 and a band at 1655 cm−1. HL crystallizes in the form of a hemihydrate, HL·0.5H2O. HL assemble into infinite helical chains due to N–H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the NH of imidazole and O of the N-oxide (O···N 2.623(2) Å). An unusual mid-IR pattern with three broad bands at 3373, 2530, and 1850 cm−1 is typical for strong hydrogen bonds, explained by resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding occurring in the helical chains. On cooling to 5 K, noticeable changes in the IR spectra of [H2L]2[ZnCl4] and HL·0.5H2O were observed. ZnLCl and [H2L]2[ZnCl4] exhibit bright photoluminescence with maxima of emission at 458 nm (for ZnLCl) and 490 nm (for [H2L]2[ZnCl4]).