Synthesis, structure, photochromic and fluorescent imaging properties of a 3D cadmium(II) complex [Cd2(AT)2(H2O)4]·H2O (AT = 5,5′-azotetrazolate)

Abstract A 5,5′-azotetrazolate based Cd 2 + complex of [Cd 2 (trans-AT) 2 (H 2 O) 4 ]·H 2 O ( 1 ) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In 1 , each Cd 2 + ion coordinates to six N atoms from four AT 2 − anions and two water molecules to form a dicapped trigonal prismatic coordination environment. Each coplanar AT 2 − anion acts as a novel bis-bridging-chelating mode with six N atoms linking four different Cd 2 + ions to form a 3D structure. The aqueous solution of 1 with the concentration of 7.5 × 10 − 5  mol·L − 1 shows photochromism. The solid photoluminescence of 1 under UV-light or laser irradiation and the fluorescent imaging of the onion cell using 1 as imaging agent were also reported.