Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of poly[di-μ 3 -chlorido-di-μ 2 -chlorido-bis-[4-methyl- N -(pyridin-2-yl-methyl-idene)aniline]dicadmium(II)].

The title coordination polymer with the 4-methyl- N -(pyridin-2-yl-methyl-idene)aniline Schiff base ligand ( L , C 13 H 12 N 2 ), [Cd 2 Cl 4 (C 13 H 12 N 2 )] n ( 1 ), exhibits a columnar structure extending parallel to [100]. The columns are aligned in parallel and are decorated with chelating L ligands on both sides. They are elongated into a supra-molecular sheet extending parallel to (01) through π-π stacking inter-actions involving L ligands of neighbouring columns. Adjacent sheets are packed into the tri-periodic supra-molecular network through weak C-H⋯Cl hydrogen-bonding inter-actions that involve the phenyl CH groups and chlorido ligands. The thermal stability and photoluminescent properties of ( 1 ) have also been examined.