4,5-Diiodo-1-H-imidazole-derived linker ligand and Cu(i) and Co(ii) coordination polymers based thereupon

A new iodine -rich imidazole derivative 1,4-bis(4,5-diiodo-1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane (bimbI4, 1) features multiple I & ctdot;I interactions in the solid state. Using 1 as a precursor, we prepared 1D and 2D coordination polymers of Co(II) and Cu(I) - {[Co(bimbI(4))Cl-2]1.5DMF}(n) (2) and {[Cu2I2(bimbI(4))]}(n) (3), respectively, also featuring extended systems of halogen bonds within their structures.