Proton‐Conducting Hydrogen‐Bonded 3D Frameworks of Imidazo‐Pyridine‐Based Coordination Complexes Containing Naphthalene Disulfonates in Rhomboid Channels

Coordination complexes of an olefinic molecule (PIP) containing pyridine and imidazopyridine moieties with ZnII /NiII metal salts were shown to exhibit appreciable proton conductivity. These complexes form 3D-hydrogen bonded frameworks containing rhomboidal channels that are occupied by uncoordinated 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate (NDS). The extensive hydrogen bonding between the frameworks and NDS resulted in thermally stable and water-insoluble materials. Irrespective of the metal atom present, both complexes exhibited moderate to high proton conduction in the range of 10-5 to 0.5×10-3 S cm-1 depending on the temperature and humidity levels.