Synthesis, structure and luminescent recognition properties of cerium(IV) coordination polymers based on pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

3D coordination polymers of {[Ce2(PDA)3(H2O)3]*0.25(H2O)}n and {[Ce2(PDA)(HPDA)(H2O)5SO4]*2H2O}n, (H2PDA = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid,) have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, thermal analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the dihydrate polymer the SO42−- anions serve as bridges between 1D wavelike chains and the adjacent parallel pyridine rings are connected through π–π interactions. The striking feature of the dihydrate polymer is that 1D nanosized cavities are observed, which house guest water molecules. Weak interaction exists between Ce(IV) center and S atom(Ce…S) due to the connection of chelate SO42− anion. A magnetic study of the dihydrate polymer confirms that it presents antiferromagnetism. Thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses reveal that both polyers are stable at high temperature. Luminescent emissions of complexes demonstrate that they display selectivities towards Zn2+, Hg+, Pb2+ Mn2+ and Cd2+ or Cu2+ ions.