Ionic liquid as reaction medium for the synthesis and crystallization of a metal-organic framework: (BMIM)2[Cd3(BDC)3Br2] (BMIM = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)

An ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, is used as reaction medium for the synthesis and crystallization of a coordination polymer, (BMIM)₂Cd₃(BDC)₃Br ₂] (1) (BMIM = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, BDC =  1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), which forms an anionic two-dimensional framework with the imidazolium cations located between the layers. This compound is thermally stable up to ca. 340 °C and exhibits blue emission in solid state at room temperature. Other characterizations by IR and UV–visible spectra are also described.