Ionic liquid as reaction medium for the synthesis and crystallization of a metal-organic framework:: (BMIM)2[Cd3(BDC)3Br2] (BMIM=1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)

An ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, is used as reaction medium for the synthesis and crystallization of a coordination polymer, (BMIM)(2)[Cd-3(BDC)(3)Br] (1) (BMIM = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), which forms an anionic two-dimensional framework with the imidazolium cations located between the layers. This compound is thermally stable up to ca. 340 degrees C and exhibits blue emission in solid state at room temperature. Other characterizations by IR and UV-visible spectra are also described. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.