Self-penetrating and interpenetrating 3D metal–organic frameworks constructed from 4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)-phthalic acid and N-donor auxiliary ligands

Abstract

Two new interesting entangled structures, namely, [Ni1.5(L)(bpy)2(H2O)3]n · 3nH2O (I) and [Cd3(L)2(bbi)2]n · nH2O (II) (where H3L is 4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)-phthalic acid, bpy is 4,4 -bipyridine, and bbi is 1,1 -(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis (EA), infrared spectra (IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), solid fluorescence and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complex I possesses a 3D self-penetrating framework constructed from ladder-like and fishbone-like subunits. Complex II shows a 3D framework of two-fold interpenetration assembled from trinuclear Cd(II) clusters bridged by bbi and L 3− ligands.