Two
dinuclear complexes, namely, [Ni2(IDA)2(dpe)(H2O)4](H2O)6 (1) and [Cu2(IDA)2(dpe)(H2O)2] (2) (IDA2– = iminodiacetate
and dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene) were synthesized and structurally
characterized. The Ni(II) center in 1 exhibits octahedral
geometry, but the Cu(II) center in 2 shows distorted
square pyramidal geometry. Both metal centers are coordinated by IDA2– via a chelating mode (κ3-O,N,O) and linked by μ2-dpe, forming a dinuclear complex. Three dimensional (3D)
supramolecular architectures of 1 and 2 are
considerably different that arise from the influence of flexible ligands
with different metal centers. Interestingly, a robust, but flexible,
3D supramolecular framework of 1 contains 1D channels
along the c-axis, which is filled by six water molecules.
Complex 1 exhibits a reversible thermally induced structural
transformation with chromotropism upon dehydration and rehydration
processes, whereas 2 exhibits a nonreversible process.
In addition, 1 and its activated form 1a (1 was heated at 90 °C to remove all lattice water)
and anhydrous form 1b (1 was heated at 200
°C) display vapochromic behavior after exposure to a variety
of saturated amine vapors that were confirmed by FT-IR, solid-state
UV–vis, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), TGA, and PXRD
techniques. Moreover, the activated form 1a exhibits
an excellent iodine adsorption in hexane with the removal efficiency
of 98.8%. The encapsulated iodine can be also released into an acetonitrile
solution.