By tuning the synthesis conditions, based on a conformation-sensitive ligand, 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazole-1-methylene)-2,3,5,6-tetramethyl benzene (btmx) and Cu(NO3)2·3H2O/CuCl2·2H2O, we have obtained three Cu(II) coordination polymers with diverse structures, namely, {[Cu(btmx)2(H2O)]·2NO3}n (1), {[Cu(btmx)2(Cl)2]·5H2O}n (2) and [Cu(btmx)(Cl)2]n (3). Complex 1 exhibits a novel 2D → 3D interpenetrating structure with a point symbol of 63. Complex 2 features an irregular 2D grid with (44·62) topology. The structure of complex 3 is a 1D double chain structure. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra and TG curves of these complexes are also presented and discussed. Moreover, under visible light, the coordination polymers 1, 2, and 3 display a different activation effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for the photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange (MO), which indicates that the coordination polymers may have bright prospects in the field of photocatalytic degradation of dyes.
