Luminescent, second-order NLO and magnetic properties of the hydrogen-bond based network derived from 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate

Complexes [Zn(bpdc)(H2O)2] (1) and [Mn(bpdc)(H2O)3]∙2.5H2O (2) were assembled by 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate (H2bpdc) with Zn2+ or Mn2+ under hydro/solvo-thermal conditions. Complexes 1 and 2 are extended from mononuclear to 1D, 2D and 3D supramolecular network step by step with the help of intramolecular weak interactions. The luminescent properties of 1 had been investigated in details, which show intense blue emission with relatively good quantum yield. The 2 displays nonlinear optical (NLO) activity comparable with that of KDP, and exhibits weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Mn (II) ions by the hydrogen bonds.