Diacetylenedisalicylic acid is a new rigid linker molecule, capable of forming strong chelate bonds with metal cations. Its monosubstituted salts with dimethylamine and sodium form 1D and 2D coordination polymers, whose structures were solved from single crystals, along with the dimethyl ester of diacetylenedisalicylic acid. The structure of the dimethyl ester is characterized by a dense co-facial π-stacking of molecules with a dominance of van der Waals interactions between the stacks. The angle between the stack direction and the butadiyne groups does not meet the Enkelmann criterion for polymerization in a crystal. In contrast to the dimethyl ester, both salts have a rigid framework with channels filled with disordered solvent molecules. Photoluminescence spectra of the acid and its dimethyl ester have been studied. Thermal analysis of the acid confirms its high thermal stability to 286°C. The acid and its dimethyl ester are prone to polymerization on further heating followed by 50-52% mass loss, forming an amorphous carbon residue at 1000°C.
Keywords: coordination polymer; diacetylene group; linker molecule; photoluminescence; polymerization.