Two three-dimensional metal-organic frameworks constructed by multiple building blocks of benzenetricarboxylate and bis(imidazole) ligands

Two novel metal-organic frameworks [Zn-3(BTC)(2)(bbi)(3)](n) (1) (H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, bbi = 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)) and{[Zn-3(BTC)(2)(bix)(3) center dot 2.5H(2)O]}(n) (2) (bix = 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl) benzene) have been hydrothermally prepared and characterized. Analysis of the structure of 1 displays a 3D framework exhibiting a threefold interpenetration net of identical Zn-1.5(BTC)(bbi)(1.5) single frameworks. In the structure of 2, BTC3- and bix build up infinite tubes extending to a 3D non-interpenetrated porous framework. Moderate fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature were observed in both the compounds. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.