Monomers, oligomeric complexes, coordination polymers, and methods for their preparation and use

1. An oligomeric complex or a coordination polymer comprising:

at least two ligands, wherein at least one of the at least two ligands comprises N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine; and

at least two metal atoms structurally incorporated with the ligands.

2. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein at least one other of the two ligands comprises:

a central linker portion comprising at least one of a phenylenediamine group, a phenyl group, a terphenyl group, a biphenyl group, poly-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) group, or a (methylbenzene) 2 group; and

four pyridyl groups defined as pyridyl group Py 1 , pyridyl group Py 2 , pyridyl group Py 3 , and pyridyl group Py 4 , wherein pyridyl group Py 1 is covalently bonded to the central linker portion, pyridyl group Py 2 is covalently bonded to the central linker portion, pyridyl group Py 3 is covalently bonded to the central linker portion, and pyridyl group Py 4 is covalently bonded to the central linker portion.

3. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine ligand is designated as L 1 , and the oligomeric complex or coordination polymer includes at least one of Zn 2 L 1 Cl 4 , Zn 2 L 1 Br 4 .MeOH, Zn 2 L 1 I 4 , [CdL 1 Cl 2 ] n .nH 2 0, [CdL 1 Br 2 ].7.5H 2 0, [CdL 1 1 2 ] n , HgL 1 Cl 2 ] n , [HgL 1 Br 2 ] n , or HgL 1 I 2 , wherein n is an integer of 2 or more.

4. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein at least one metal atom comprises at least one of zinc, cadmium, silver or mercury.

5. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein at least one metal atom comprises at least one metal atom structurally incorporated between two ligands.

6. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the ligands are N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine ligands.

7. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 6 , comprising at least one metal atom structurally incorporated between two N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine ligands.

8. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein each ligand of the oligomeric complex or coordination polymer is N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine.

9. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 8 , wherein each N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine ligand is designated as L 1 , and the oligomeric complex or coordination polymer includes at least one of Zn 2 L 1 Cl 4 , Zn 2 L 1 Br 4 .MeOH, Zn 2 L 1 I 4 , [CdL 1 Cl 2 ] n .nH 2 0, [CdL 1 Br 2 ].7.5H 2 0, [CdL 1 I 2 ] n , [HgL 1 Cl 2 ] n , [HgL 1 Br 2 ] n , or HgL 1 I 2 , wherein n is an integer of 2 or more.

10. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein the coordination polymer emits visible light upon exposure to UV light.

11. The oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of claim 1 , wherein the at least two ligands comprise at least one N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine and at least one N,N-di(2-pyridyi)-N′,N′-di(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine.

12. A method of preparing an oligomeric complex or a coordination polymer, the method comprising:

providing at least two ligands, wherein at least one of the at least two ligands comprises N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine;

providing at least two metal atoms; and

contacting the at least two ligands and the at least two metal atoms under conditions suitable to form an oligomeric complex or coordination polymer of the at least two ligands and the at least two metal atoms.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein providing the at least two metal atoms comprises providing at least one zinc salt, at least one cadmium salt, at least one mercury salt, at least one silver salt, or mixtures thereof.

14. An oligomeric complex or a coordination polymer comprising:

at least two ligands, wherein each of the at least two ligands comprises N,N,N′,N′-tetra(4-pyridyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine; and

at least one metal atom structurally incorporated with the ligands.