Synthesis, structures and properties of six lanthanide complexes based on a 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)imidazo(4,5-)-(1,10)phenanthroline ligand.

Six lanthanide complexes [Tb(2-NCP)(NO)] (1), [Eu(2-NCP)(3-PYC)] (2), [Sm(2-NCP)(3-PYC)] (3), [Eu(2-NCP)(SA)] (4), [Tb(2-NCP)(SA)] (5) and [Tb(2-NCP)(AA)] (6) (2-HNCP = 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)imidazo(4,5-)-(1,10)phenanthroline, 3-HPYC = pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, HSA = succinic acid, HAA = adipic acid) have been synthesized by hydrothermal route, and the crystal structures were analyzed through elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 6 present two-dimensional (2D) layers, which are further connected to three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architectures through C-H⋯π interactions. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit infinite one-dimensional chains. Finally, the neighboring chains are packed by C-H⋯π interactions, giving rise to 3D supramolecular network. Complexes 4 and 5 display 2D layers, which are further extend to 3D supramolecular structures C-H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Six complexes possess good thermal stabilities, characteristic photoluminescence properties, and photocatalytic activities for the degradation of organic dyes under visible light irradiation. In addition, the complex 6 exhibits significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for methylene blue, and the degradation rate could reach 81.2% in 370 min. Meanwhile trapping experiments indicated that the hole, ·O and ·OH are the main activated species. Furthermore, by comparing the photoluminescent and photocatalytic mutation results of same metal complexes induced by interconversion of coligands, we confirm that the properties mutation induced by coligands is much obvious and controllable.