Synthesis, structural characterizations and spectroscopic properties of binuclear CoIII complex and its Schiff ligand as a chemosensor for fuorescent recognition of ZnII

Binuclear CoIII complex [Co2(L)3(DMF)3] containing a Schiff ligand H2L was synthesized and analyzed by elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculation. The CoIII complex was a 3:2 ((L)2− : CoIII) binuclear structure. The spatial configuration of central CoIII ions was six-coordinated slightly twisted octahedron. The 3D supramolecular network structure was linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, C H···π and π···π stacking interactions. The Schiff ligand H2L exhibits weak luminescence, but this weak fluorescence is turned on after coordination with the ZnII ion. Furthermore, H2L could as an “OFF-ON” chemosensor for fluorescent recognition of ZnII.