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.