Flexible Ligand, Structural, and Topological Diversity: Isomerism in Zn(NO₃)₂ Coordination Polymers

Two new metal−organic frameworks (MOFs), [Zn(p-BDC)(m-bix)0.5][Zn(p-BDC)(m-bix)]·H2O (1) and [Zn(p-BDC)(m-bix)] (2) (p-BDC = terephthalate, m-bix =1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), were synthesized and characterized structurally. Both of the MOFs feature the interpenetrated two-dimensional (2D) → three-dimensional (3D) network motifs. In particular, complex 1 represents the second example of intertwining of different 2D coordination motifs, and complex 2 shows a 3-fold parallel interpenetrated framework. In addition, the spectroscopic, thermal, and fluorescence properties of complexes 1 and 2 are investigated.