Transformation of a Luminescent Benzimidazole-Based Yb3 Cluster into a One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer

Reaction of the benzimidazole-based ligand 2-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-4-bromo-6-methoxy-plienol (HL) with LnCl(3)center dot 6H(2)O in a 4:3 mol ratio in refluxing EtOH gave the trinuclear complexes [Ln(3)L(4)Cl(4)(H2O)(2)]center dot Cl center dot H2O. EtOH (1) (Ln = Tb (a), Er (b), Yb (c)) in 40-59% yields. Under similar conditions, but with the subsequent addition of Zn(OAc)(2)center dot 2H(2)O to the reaction mixture, complex {[Yb3L4(OAC)(4)]center dot Cl center dot EtOH}(n) (2) can be isolated in 48% yield. 2 has a one-dimensional coordination structure in the solid state. All complexes display intramolecular pi-pi stacking and hydrogen bonded interactions in the solid state as well as lanthanide ion based luminescence in both solution and the solid.