Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of poly[di-μ₃-chlorido-di-μ₂-chlorido-bis[4-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)aniline]dicadmium(II)]

The title coordination polymer with the 4-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)aniline Schiff base ligand (L, C13H12N2), [Cd2Cl4(C13H12N2)] n (1), exhibits a columnar structure extending parallel to [100]. The columns are aligned in parallel and are decorated with chelating L ligands on both sides. They are elongated into a supramolecular sheet extending parallel to (01\overline{1}) through π–π stacking interactions involving L ligands of neighbouring columns. Adjacent sheets are packed into the tri-periodic supramolecular network through weak C—H...Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions that involve the phenyl CH groups and chlorido ligands. The thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of (1) have also been examined.