A Novel Linking Schiff-Base Type Ligand (L: py-CH=N-C6H4-N=CH-py) and Its Zinc Coordination Polymers:Preparation of L, 2-Pyridin-3-yl-1H-benzoimidazol, trans-[Zn(H2O)4L2].(NO3)2.(MeOH)2[Zn(NO3)(H2O)2(L)].(NO3).(H2O)2 and [Zn(L)(OBC)(H2O)] (OBC = 4,4'-Oxybis(benzoate))

A long, bis(monodentate), linking Schiff-base ligand L (py-CH=N-$C_6H_4$-N=CH-py) was prepared from 1,4-phenylenediamine and 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde by the Schiff-base condensation. Ligand L has two terminal pyridyl groups capable of coordinating to metals through their nitrogen atoms. In contrast, the same reaction between 1,2-phenylenediamine and 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde produced a mixture of imidazol isomers (2-pyridin-3-yl-1H-benzoimidazole), which are connected to one another by the N-H…N hydrogen bonding to form a tetramer. From Zn($NO_3)_2{\cdot}6H_2O$ and ligand L under various conditions, one discrete molecule, trans- [Zn($H_2O)_4L_2]{\cdot}(NO_3)_2{\cdot}(MeOH)_2$, and two 1-D zinc polymers, [Zn$(NO_3)(H_2O)_2(L)]{\cdot}(NO_3){\cdot}(H_2O)_2$ and [Zn(L) (OBC)($H_2O$)], were prepared. In ligand L, the N$\ldots$N separation between the terminal pyridyl groups is 13.994 $\AA$, with their nitrogen atoms at the meta positions (3,3’) in a trans manner. The corresponding N$\ldots$N separations in its compounds range from 13.853 to 14.754 $\AA$.