The investigation of two bis(phenoxo)-acetate-bridged binuclear nickel(II) complexes driven by different alcohol solvents

Two solvent-induced bis(phenoxo)-acetate-bridged binuclear Ni(II) complexes, [Ni2(L)(µ-OAc)(CH3OH)] (1) and [Ni2(L)(µ-OAc)(H2O)] (2), were synthesized with a bis(salamo)-like ligand H3L and Ni(OAc)2·4H2O in two different alcohol solvents (methanol and ethanol). Complexes 1 and 2 were described by elemental analyses, single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and fluorescence spectra. Complexes 1 and 2 have analogous crystal structures, but the non-covalent interactions are distinct. The one-dimensional chain of 1 is formed by π–π interactions, and the three-dimensional supramolecular network structure of 2 is formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, fluorescence experiments indicated that the fluorescence of 1 and 2 undergoe a significant quenching compared to H3L. Intermolecular forces were investigated using Hirshfeld surface analysis. DFT calculations showed that 1 and 2 have high chemical reactivity and low kinetic stability.