Three cation-templated Cu(i) self-assemblies: synthesis, structures, and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

Three novel inorganic–organic supramolecular compounds based on cuprous halide/pseudohalides, named [MAPB][CuBr₃] (1), [MAPB]₂[Cu₄I₈] (2) and [(PAPB)Cu₂(SCN)₄]_n (3), where MAPB = 1,3-bis(4-aminopyridiniummethyl)-benzene and PAPB = 1,4-bis(4-aminopyridiniummethyl)-benzene, have been synthesized based on a self-assembly reaction under ambient conditions. The structures of compounds 1, 2 and 3 were explored using IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, PXRD, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state. Compound 1 is a mononuclear complex, compound 2 is a tetranuclear cubane-like clusteric oligomer and compound 3 possesses a 2-D polypseudorotaxane structure. Besides, the optical band gap and photocatalytic degradation properties of compounds 1–3 were also investigated and the excellent photodegradation efficiency of 2 may be due to the existence of distinct weak hydrogen bonds and face-to-face π–π stacking interactions.