Triply interpenetrated (3,4)- and (3,5)-connected binodal metal-organic networks prepared from 1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoate and 4,4′-bipyridyl

The first examples of anionic-neutral mixed ligand frameworks prepared from 1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoate (BTB) and 4,4′-bipyridyl (bipy) are reported. Framework 1, of composition [Ni(HBTB)(bipy)]·(guests), is a triply interpenetrated (3,5)-connected gra binodal network that has a 1-D channel structure exhibiting permanent porosity. Framework 2, which was prepared under identical conditions but in the presence of toluene, has the formula [Ni 3(BTB)2(EG)3(bipy)3] ·(toluene) (where EG = ethylene glycol). 2 is a dense phase of triply interpenetrated rare (3,4)-connected tfz binodal networks that contains intercalated toluene in isolated voids. The primary influence for the formation of 2 are numerous hydrophobic interactions between the internal framework surface and the included toluene guest molecule. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.