Three 2D mixed-ligand Co(II) coordination polymers containing flexible bis(benzimidazole) ligands with different spacers

Three new Co(II) coordination polymers, [Co(L1)(bpdc)]n (1), [Co(L2)(ndc)(H2O)·2H2O]n (2) and [Co(L3)(ndc)(H2O)·H2O]n (3) (L1 = 1,2-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole)ethane, L2 = 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole)propane, L3 = 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole)butane, H2bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, H2ndc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. All three complexes feature (4,4) networks that extend into 3D supramolecular frameworks via hydrogen bonding interactions. The luminescence properties and catalytic activities of these complexes with respect to the degradation of methyl orange in a Fenton-like process have been investigated.