Gas permeation properties of poly(2,5-dialkyl-p-phenyleneethynylene) membranes

Dipropynylbenzenes with alkyl groups (CH₃C ≡ CRC₆H₂RC≡CCH₃, R=n-C₆H₁₃, n-C₈H₁₇, n-C₁₀H₂₁, 1a–c, respectively) were polymerized with Mo(CO)₆ to afford solvent-soluble poly(2,5-dialkyl-p-phenyleneethynylene)s (2a–c). The polymers (2a–c) had high molecular weight over 3×10⁴, and gave free-standing membranes by solution casting method. According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), these poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s showed high thermal stability (T₀ ≥380 °C). The densities of membranes of poly(2,5-dialkyl-p-phenyleneethynylene)s (2a–c) were 0.936–0.965, and their fractional free volume (FFV) were relatively large (ca. 0.14–0.15). The oxygen permeability coefficients (PO₂) of membranes of 2a–c were 4.88, 7.06, and 16.6 barrers, respectively.     

Synthesis of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenyleneethynylene)s bearing oligo-ethylene glycols and their gas permeation properties

1,4-Diiodobenzenes bearing oligo-ethylene glycols [IRC₆H₂IR, R = OCH₂CH₂OCH₃ (1a), O(CH₂CH₂O)₂CH₃ (1b), O(CH₂CH₂O)₃CH₃ (1c)] were polymerized with 1,4-diethynylbenzene in the presence of Pd/Cu catalyst to afford poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s bearing oligo-ethylene glycols (2a–c), respectively. Polymer 2a was insoluble in any solvents, but the other polymers (2b, 2c) were soluble in CHCl₃. The weight-average molecular weights of 2b and 2c were 5.4 × 10⁴ and 9.6 × 10⁴, respectively, and they gave free-standing membranes by solution-casting method. The densities of membranes of 2b and 2c were 1.26 and 1.22 g/cm³, respectively, and their carbon dioxide permeability coefficients were 12.9 and 13.5 barrers, respectively. The CO₂/N₂ separation factor of membrane of 2b was as large as 33.7. Membrane of 3b, which contains triethylene glycols, exhibited higher CO₂ permselectivity, and the CO₂/N₂ separation factor was 50.0.     

Antifeedant and Termiticidal Activities of 6-Alkoxycoumarins and Related Analogs Against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coptotermes formosanus</Emphasis> Shiraki

We synthesized 23 6-alkoxycoumarin derivatives, 20 of which are novel compounds. The structures of all compounds were confirmed by NMR, MS, and elemental analysis, and their antifeedant and termiticidal activities against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were examined. In a no-choice test, 6-(2-pentynyloxy)coumarin (2v), 6-(2-butynyloxy)coumarin (2u), 6-(2-octynyloxy)coumarin (2w), and 6-methoxycoumarin (2a), demonstrated high termiticidal activity at a concentration of 10 μmol. At a concentration of 5 μmol, 6-(2-butynyloxy)coumarin (2u) produced the highest mortality among the compounds tested. On the other hand, all of the 6-alkoxycoumarins showed antifeedant activity at both concentrations, except 6-octadecyloxycoumarin (2j) that was inactive at 5 μmol. Among the 23 compounds and the control, 6-ethoxycoumarin (2b), 6-isopropoxycoumarin (2d), and 6-isobutoxycoumarin (2f) exhibited the highest antifeedant activity with no mass loss (0.00%) at a concentration of 10 μmol. Our findings indicate that the presence of alkenyloxy and alkynyloxy groups was important for the termiticidal activity, while the incorporation of alkoxy groups with longer alkyl chains tended to reduce both the termiticidal and antifeedant activities. Furthermore, short chain alkoxy and arylalkoxy-substituted analogs showed good antifeedant activity, but methoxy groups on the benzene ring had a negative effect.     

Polymerization of α-olefins and Hydrogenolysis of the Resulting Polyolefins with Hafnium Hydrides Supported on Silica

The reaction of Hf(CH₂ tBu)₄ with a silica surface treated at 800 °C affords the unique single site (≡SiO)Hf(CH₂ tBu)_3, 1, ((≡SiO) = silica surface ligand). Reaction of 1, with dihydrogen at temperatures (θ) ranging from 100 °C to 250 °C leads to different surface hydrides. At θ ≤ 100 °C, there is formation of [(≡SiO)Hf(CH₂ tBu)(H)₂], 2. For 100 ≤ θ ≤ 200 °C, 2 affords, [(≡SiO)₂Hf(H)₂], 3, and [(≡SiO)₃SiH]. For 150 ≤ θ ≤ 250 °C, 3, is totally converted into [(≡SiO)₃Hf(H)], 4, and [(≡SiO)₂Si(H)₂]. These different surface hafnium hydrides 2–4, which are obtained simultaneously but in various proportions were referred to as [Hf]_θ–H, (θ = 75, 100, 125, 150 and 250 °C). [Hf]₁₅₀–H is the most active catalyst in α olefin (ethylene, propene, isobutylene) polymerization at 25 °C and in polyolefin depolymerization at 150 °C under H₂ atmosphere. Although, there is a clear correlation between the catalytic activity both in polymerization and in depolymerization, and the amount of 3 and 4, it is not possible to establish which between the mono and the bis-hydride is the most active.     

Synthesis and characterization of new optically active poly(amide-imide)s containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety in the main chain

Six new optically active poly(amide-imide)s were synthesized by poly condensation reaction of 2,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (8) with six chiral N,N′-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic)-bis-l-amino acids (3a–f) in a medium consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), triphenylphosphite (TPP), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and pyridine. Chiral N,N′-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic)-bis-l-amino acids (3a–f) were obtained by the reaction of bicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (1) with two equimolar of l-alanine (2a), l-valine (2b), l-leucine (2c), l-isoleucine (2d), l-phenyl alanine (2e), and l-2-aminobutyric acid (2f) in acetic acid. The poly condensation reaction produced a series of novel poly(amide-imide)s (9a–f) in high yield and with inherent viscosities between 0.30 and 0.52 dL/g. The resulting polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, viscosity measurement, solubility testing, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), ¹H-NMR, and FT-IR techniques.     

Synthesis of poly(succinimide-amide) by acid-catalyzed polycondensation of L-aspartic acid and aromatic aminocarboxylic acid

Summary The polycondensations of L-aspartic acid (1) with aromatic aminocarboxylic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid (2a), 4-aminophenylacetic acid (2b), 4-aminomethylbenzoic acid (2c), 4-(4-aminophenyl)butyric acid (2d), and 4-aminocinnamic acid (2e) were carried out using phosphoric acid as a catalyst. The obtained copolymers consiting of the succinimide and amide units, poly(succinimide-co-amide) (3), were soluble in DMF and DMSO except for that with 2e. The thermal properties differed with varying the 2 unit in 3, i.e., the T_gs of 3a–c (99 ∼ 138°C) were higher than those of 3d (81 ∼ 1 01°C), the apparent difference in the T_m between 3a–d did not observed, and the T_d decreased in the order of 3a, 3c > 3d > 3b. Received: 24 February 1998/Revised version: 3 April 1998/Accepted: 13 April 1998     

Kinetics of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of alkyl dimethyl amines

We measured the absolute rate constants for the hydrogen peroxide oxidation of two different octyl dimethyl amines in isopropanol/water mixtures at 23°C. The amines were 1-octyl dimethyl amine (1) and 2-ethylhexyl dimethyl amine (2); their structures were analogous to those most often encountered in commercial alkyl dimethyl amine oxide production. The observed first-order rate constants for the disappearance of amine across a range of H₂O₂ concentrations (0.5–8 M) indicated that the overall rate was first-order in amine and 3/2-order in H₂O₂. Calculations showed k ₁=0.16 M⁻¹h⁻¹, k ₂=0.046 M⁻¹h⁻¹, and k ₁/k ₂=3.5. The rates appeared to decrease with increasing steric hindrance around the nitrogen atom. We also investigated the effect of water on the reaction rates. When [H₂O]<∼4.5 M in isopropanol, the rates increased with increasing [H₂O]; for [H₂O]>∼4.5 M, the rates were insensitive to [H₂O].     

Synthesis, Characterization and Photoluminescence of Dimeric and Polymeric Metallaynes of Group 10–12 Metals Containing Conjugation-breaking Diphenylmethane Unit

A novel approach based on conjugation interruption was developed for a luminescent and thermally stable platinum(II) polyyne polymer trans-[–Pt(PBu₃)₂C≡C(C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄)C≡C–] _n (1) containing the diphenylmethane chromophoric spacer. Particular attention was focused on the photophysical properties of this group 10 polymetallayne and comparison was made to its binuclear model complex trans-[Pt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂C≡C(C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄)C≡CPt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂] (2) and their closest group 11 gold(I) and group 12 mercury(II) neighbors, [MC≡C(C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄)C≡CM] (M = Au(PPh₃) (3), HgMe (4)). The regiochemical structures of these angular-shaped compounds were studied by various spectroscopic analyses. Upon photoexcitation, each of them emits an intense purple-blue fluorescence emission in the near UV region in dilute fluid solutions at room temperature. Harvesting of organic triplet emissions harnessed through the strong heavy-atom effects of group 10–12 transition metals was examined. These metal-containing phenyleneethynylenes spaced by the conjugation-breaking CH₂ unit were found to have high optical gaps and high-energy triplet states. The influence of metal and sp³-hybridized methylene conjugation-interrupters on the intersystem crossing rate and the spatial extent of the lowest singlet and triplet excitons was fully elucidated. Our investigations indicate that high-energy triplet states in these materials intrinsically give rise to very efficient phosphorescence with fast radiative decays. Dedicated to Professor Didier Astruc in recognition of his outstanding contribution to metallodendrimers and polymers.     

Ring-opening polymerization of (CH3)2Si[CpMo(CO)3]2, a molecule with an –Si(CH3)2– bridge between two cyclopentadienyl ligands

The (CH₃)₂Si[CpMo(CO)₃]₂ complex (1) was synthesized and used to explore ring-opening polymerization (ROP) as a method to prepare high molecular weight polymers containing Mo–Mo bonds along their backbones. Attempts to initiate ROP of 1 using n-BuLi or PtCl₂ did not yield any polymers. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 shows that the Si center is not strained, and it is suggested that no ROP occurred because 1 is less strained than other organometallic ROP monomers, such as the silicon-bridged ferrocenophanes. Thermal ROP (TROP) of 1 was successful and yielded a polymer (M _w = 210,000 g mol⁻¹) containing both Mo–Mo single bonds and Mo≡Mo triple bonds. When CO_(g) is passed over the polymer in the solid state, the Mo≡Mo triple bonds are converted to Mo–Mo single bonds. Attempts to increase the yield of the TROP polymer by increasing the reaction times led to polymer decomposition. The decomposition is likely caused by the weakness of the Mo–Mo bond, cleavage of which causes the polymer to degrade.     

Novel carbonaceous coupling products containing sulphur

Summary The coupling of alkali ethynides with CSCl₂, SOCl₂, or SO₂Cl₂ results in new carbonaceous polymeric products; their structures were studied by FTIR and XPS spectra, and the assumptions on reaction mechanism were made with respect to the found elemental composition and model calculations. These macromolecular products, obtained in the yields of 80–92%, contain chlorine in the chain terminals, and alkyne sequences along with inserted C=S, S=O or SO₂ groups. These inserted sulphur groups contribute to the stability of alkyne sequences as evidenced by FTIR spectra. Soluble thioketone iPr₃SiC≡C–CS–C≡CSiiPr₃ (2) prepared by similar coupling of iPr₃SiC≡CLi (1) with CSCl₂ in the yield of 72%, was considered as a support of the suggested coupling mechanism. Similarly monomolecular sulfoxide iPr₃SiC≡C–SO–C≡CSiiPr₃ (3) was prepared by coupling of iPr₃SiC≡CLi (1) with SOCl₂ in the yield 75%.     

<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Aspartic acid incorporated optically active poly(amide-imide)s: synthesis and characterization

N-trimelliticimido-l-aspartic acid (1) was prepared from the reaction of trimellitic anhydride with l-aspartic acid in a mixture of glacial acetic acid and pyridine solution (3/2 ratio) under refluxing conditions. The solution polycondensation of the corresponding activated monomer with eight aromatic diamines were carried out in DMAc. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s were obtained in quantitative yields, showed admirable inherent viscosities (0.20–0.36 dl g⁻¹), good optical activity (+7.32o to +15.24o), and were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents. They start to decompose (T _10%) above 170 °C and display glass-transition temperatures at 120–237 °C. All of the above polymers were fully characterized by UV, FT–IR, and ¹HNMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analyses, DSC, inherent viscosity measurement, and specific rotation.     

Excitonic Transitions and Off-resonant Optical Limiting in CdS Quantum Dots Stabilized in a Synthetic Glue Matrix

Stable films containing CdS quantum dots of mean size 3.4 nm embedded in a solid host matrix are prepared using a room temperature chemical route of synthesis. CdS/synthetic glue nanocomposites are characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Significant blue shift from the bulk absorption edge is observed in optical absorption as well as photoacoustic spectra indicating strong quantum confinement. The exciton transitions are better resolved in photoacoustic spectroscopy compared to optical absorption spectroscopy. We assign the first four bands observed in photoacoustic spectroscopy to 1s _e –1s _h , 1p _e –1p _h , 1d _e –1d _h and 2p _e –2p _h transitions using a non interacting particle model. Nonlinear absorption studies are done using z-scan technique with nanosecond pulses in the off resonant regime. The origin of optical limiting is predominantly two photon absorption mechanism.     

Synthesis of poly(ethyl vinyl ethers) containing two dipolar electronic systems and their properties

Summary 5-Nitro-2-(2′-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (2a), methyl 5-nitro-2-(2′-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (2b), 3-nitro-4-(2′-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (4a), and methyl 3-nitro-4-(2′-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (4b) were prepared by the condensation of 5-nitro-2-(2′-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (1) and 3-nitro-4-(2′-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (3) with malononitrile or methyl cyanoacetate, respectively. Vinyl ether monomers 2a-b and 4a-b were polymerized with boron trifluoride etherate as a cationic initiator to yield poly(vinyl ethers) 5-6 having nitrooxybenzylidenemalononitrile and nitrooxycyanocinnamate, which is effective chromophore for second-order nonlinear optical applications. Polymers 5-6 were soluble in common organic solvents such as acetone and DMSO. T _g values of the resulting polymer were in the range of 70–81°C. Electrooptic coefficient (r₃₃) of the poled polymer films were in the range of 19–27 pm/V, which was improved by introducing of nitro group. Polymers 5–6 showed a thermal stability up to 300°C in TGA thermograms, which is acceptable for NLO device applications. Received: 24 November 1998/Revised version: 19 January 1999/Accepted: 29 January 1999     

Synthesis and Properties of Novel Antifungal Gemini Compounds Derived from <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Acetyl Diethanolamines

A series of new N-acetylated non-ionic and cationic gemini surfactants (3a–f) having dimeric structures derived from primary and tertiary amines with variably long tails (C₈–C₁₂–C₁₈) were synthesized. In addition, N-acetylated monomeric analogues 6a and 6b were prepared and their antifungal potency and surface properties were also determined. Critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness of surface tension reduction (γ_CMC), surface excess concentration (Γ), and area per molecule at the interface (A) were also determined and the resulting values indicate that the cationic series is characterized by good surface-active and self-aggregation properties. For the first time, all surfactants were tested to evaluate their antifungal properties using the method for the broth macrodilution test (M27-A2, NCCLS). Four microbial strains were used to perform the study: Candida parapsilosis (ATCC 22019), C. albicans (ATCC 64548), and a wild-type strain of C. parasilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9763). The antimicrobial activity was measured by yeast growth inhibition expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Results were compared to those obtained for their monomeric analogues and for a commercially available reference compound (Fluconazole). Gemini 3b, 3e and 3f were found to be the most potent compounds. The results show S. cerevisiae as the most sensitive strain. In contrast, the wild strain of C. parapsilosis was resistant.

Radical polymerization of (trimethylsilylethynyl)styrene and thermal properties of polystyrene with ethynyl group

The radical polymerizations of 2-, 3-, and 4-(trimethylsilylethynyl)styrenes (1 a – c) and copolymerizations of 1 a – c (M₁) with styrene (M₂) have been studied. Copolymerization parameters were determined as r₁ = 1.22 and r₂ = 0.54 for 1 a, ₁ = 1.10 and r₂ = 0.90 for 1 b, and r₁ = 1.42 and r₂ = 0.38 for 1 c. The deprotection of the trimethylsilyl groups in poly[(trimethylsilylethynyl)styrene] (2 a – c) and poly[(trimethylsilylethynyl)styrene-co-styrene] (4 a – c) using (C₄H₉)₄NF smoothly proceeded to yield poly(ethynylstyrene) (3 a – c) and poly(ethynylstyrene-co-styrene) (5 a – c), respectively, which underwent curing reactions at elevated temperature to form crosslinking polystyrenes. Received: 31 March 1997/Revised: 2 June 1997/Accepted: 3 June 1997     

Separation of Sunflower Oil from Hexane by Use of Composite Polymeric Membranes

Vegetable oil extraction, as performed today by the oilseed-crushing industry, usually involves solvent extraction with commercial hexane. After this step, the vegetable oil–hexane mixture (miscella) must be treated to separate its components by distillation. If solvent-resistant membranes with good permeation properties can be obtained, membrane separation may replace, or be used in combination with, conventional evaporation. Two tailor-made flat composite membranes, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF–Si and PVDF–CA) and a commercially available composite membrane (MPF-50), were used to separate a crude sunflower oil–hexane mixture. The effects of temperature, cross-flow velocity (v), transmembrane pressure (Δp), and feed oil concentration (C _f) on membrane selectivity and permeation flux were determined. The PVDF–Si membrane achieved the best results, being stable in commercial hexane and having promising permselectivity properties for separation of vegetable oil–hexane miscella. Improved separation performance was obtained at C _f = 25%, Δp = 7.8 bar, T = 30 °C, and v = 0.8 m s⁻¹; a limiting permeate flux of 12 Lm⁻² h⁻¹ and 46.2% oil retention were achieved. Low membrane fouling was observed under all the experimental conditions studied.     

Steric effect in the free radical polymerization of vinyl ethers containing electron-deficient olefin groups

Summary o-(2-Vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (3a), methyl o-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (3b), 1,3-di-(2'-dicyanovinyl)-5-methyl-2-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzene (4a), methyl 1,3-di-(2'-carbomethoxy-2'-cyanovinyl)-5-methyl-2-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzene (4b), 2,3,4-tri-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (5a), methyl 2,3,4-tri-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (5b), 2,4,6-tri-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (6a), and methyl 2,4,6-tri-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (6b) were prepared by the condensation of o-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) benzaldehyde (1a), 2-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)-5-methylisophthaldehyde (1b), 2,3,4-tri-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (2a), 2,4,6-tri-(2'-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (2b) with malononitrile or methyl cyanoacetate, respectively. Vinyl ether compounds 3a–b and 5a–b were polymerized readily by free radical initiators to give optically transparent swelling poly(vinyl ethers) 7a–b and 9a–b. Compounds 4a–b and 6a–b did not polymerize by radical initiators due to the steric hindrance. Polymers 7a–b and 9a–b were not soluble in common organic solvents such as acetone and DMSO due to crosslinking. Polymers 7a–b and 9a–b showed a thermal stability up to 300°C in TGA thermograms. Received: 1 December 1999/Revised version: 14 February 2000/Accepted: 16 February 2000     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on Tetracyanoplatinate(II) and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine: Single Crystal Structures of ZnII and CdII Complexes Along with Magnetic Properties of NiII and CuII Complexes

Characterization and synthesis of novel cyano bridged coordination compounds [Ni(bishydeten)Pt(CN)₄] (1), [Cu(bishydeten)Pt(CN)₄] (2), [Zn(bishydeten)Pt(CN)₄] (3), [Cd(bishydeten)Pt(CN)₄] (4) [bishydeten = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (C₆H₁₆N₂O₂)] were reported herein. The IR spectra of these coordination compounds verified the formation of aforementioned complexes. The ground state of the paramagnetic electron in the Cu^II located in tetragonal distorted octahedral sites (D _4h ) was found to be d_x2−y2 for complex 2. As for complex 1, an EPR signal was not observed because of diamagnetic property of the Pt^II and momentary relaxation times of the Ni^II. All complexes followed identical decomposition mechanism in thermal analysis and thermal stabilities of complexes changed in the order of 1 > 4 > 3 > 2. Both 3 and 4 exhibit polymeric structure according to X-ray single structure analysis. While bishydeten coordinated with three donor atoms (N,N′, and O) in complex 3, it acts as a bidentate ligand (N, and N′) in complex 4. Magnetic properties of complexes 1–2 at 15–300 K temperature range were determined as antiferromagnetic with Weiss constants = −2.619 and −0.847 K respectively.     

Synthesis of Poly(propargyl esters) with Rhodium Catalysts and Their Characterization

Summary Propargyl esters (HC≡CCH₂OC(=O)R; 1: R = n-C₅H₁₁, 2: R = CH₃, 3: R = CHBrCH₃, 4: R = C₆H₅, 5: R = C(C₆H₅)₃) were polymerized by using (nbd)Rh⁺(η⁶-Ph-B^-Ph₃) (nbd = 2,5-norbornadiene) to produce poly(1)–poly(5) with molecular weights in the range of M_n = 4,900–40,000. Poly(1), poly(3) and poly(4) were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as toluene, THF and CHCl₃, and poly(2) showed similar solubility behavior except that it was insoluble in THF. Poly(5) did not dissolve in any organic solvent. Poly(1) was yellow oil, while poly(2)–poly(5) were yellow solids. Poly(1)–poly(4) exhibited UV-vis absorptions in a range of 300–425 nm, which are attributed to the conjugation of the main chain. All the polymers were thermally stable up to 150–200 °C.     

From 1-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis> to 3-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis> Supramolecular Structures Derived from Diphenic Acid and Auxiliary Ligands

Four novel compounds [Co(Hdpa) ₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]_n (1), {[Ni(dpa)(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)](H₂O)}_n, (2), [Ni(dpa)(im)₃]_n (3) and [Zn(dpa)(im)]_n (4) [H₂dpa = 2,4′-diphenyl-dicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine and im = imidazole] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallography shows that the 2,4′-diphenic acid exhibits three coordination modes to link the metal ions: μ ₁ −η¹: η¹/μ ₀ −η⁰: η⁰, μ ₁−η ¹: η ⁰/μ ₂−η ¹: η ¹ and μ ₁−η ¹: η ⁰/μ ₁−η ¹: η ⁰. Compound 1 has a 1D supramolecular structure. Compounds 2 and 3 are 3D supramolecular structures. Compound 4 is a 2D supramolecular structure. All the compounds, 1–4, are self-assembled to form supramolecular structures through hydrogen bonding interactions.