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

Abstract Two novel metal–organic frameworks [Zn 3 (BTC) 2 (bbi) 3 ] n ( 1 ) (H 3 BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, bbi = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)) and{[Zn 3 (BTC) 2 (bix) 3 · 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 , BTC 3− 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.