Construction of Metal−Organic Frameworks with Novel {Zn8O13} SBU or Chiral Channels through in Situ Ligand Reaction

By control of in situ ligand reaction, two zinc metal−organic frameworks (1, 2) have been isolated hydrothermally. Both complexes are 3D open frameworks. Complex 1, which is based on an unprecedented {Zn8O13} SBU constructed of 2H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (H3IMDC), has the same topology as that of MOF-5. Complex 2 contains large homochiral channels based on the in situ generated 4,5-di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2H-imidazole (H3DTIM). Both H3IMDC and H3DTIM ligands are in situ generated from the same precursor, 2H-imidazole-4,5-dicarbonitrile.