Synthesis, crystal structure, and photophysical properties of a double open cubane-like Cd(II) complex based on 2-substituted-8-hydroxyquinoline

A 2-substituted-8-hydroxyquinoline (E)-2-[2-(3-thienyl) ethenyl]-8-quinolinol (HL) was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Using solvothermal method, a tetranuclear complex [Cd4L6Br2]center dot 6DMF (1) was fabricated by assembly of Cd(II) with HL. X-ray structural analysis shows that 1 exhibits a double open cubane-like core structure, which is bridged by six 8-hydroxyquinolinate-based ligands. The supramolecular structure of 1 features a 3-D porous solid constructed by aromatic stacking interactions, C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions and C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. The assembly of cadmium salts and HL in solution was investigated by UV-vis and photoluminescence. We also studied the thermal stability and photophysical properties (fluorescent emission, lifetime, and quantum yield) of 1. The results show that 1 emits yellow luminescence in the solid state.