Robust hydrogen-bonded self-assemblies from biimidazole complexes. Synthesis and structural characterization of [M(biimidazole)2(OH2)2]2+ (M = Co2+, Ni2+) complexes and carboxylate modules

Abstract

A robust heteromeric hydrogen-bonded synthon [R²₂ (9)-Id] is exploited to drive the modular self-assembly of four coordination complexes [M(H₂biim)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺ (M = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺) and carboxylate counterions. This strategy allowed us to build molecular architectures of 0-, 1-, and 2-dimensions. A hydrogen-bonded 2D-network with cavities has been designed, which maintains its striking integrity after reversible water desorption–resorption processes.