Photocatalytic performances and mechanisms of two coordination polymers based on rigid tricarboxylate

In this work two new coordination polymers (CPs) with formulas [Zn2(Cl)(BTC)(bmb)2] (1) and [Cd2(H2O)2(BTC)2·H2bmb·6H2O] (2) (bmb=1,4-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)butane and H3BTC ​= ​1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), have been prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic data. The single crystal X-ray data suggests that 1 comprises a 2D layered network and 2 has a 3D porous framework with pcu-type topology. The photocatalytic properties revealed that 2 could successfully degrade organic dyes such as Rhodamine B (Rh B), methylene orange (MO), and methylene blue (MB). Further, the trapping experiment established the active species in the photodegradation process.