Transition from a 1D Coordination Polymer to a Mixed-Linker Layered MOF.

A novel copper(II) metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized by modifying the reaction conditions of a 1D coordination polymer. The 1D polymer is built by the coordination between copper and 2,2'-(1 H-imidazole-4,5-diyl)di-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (H-L1). The geometry of H-L1 precludes its ability to form extended 3D framework structures. By adding 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC), a well-studied linker in MOF synthesis, we achieved the transition from a 1D polymer chain into porous 2D layered structures. Hydrogen bonding between L1 and BDC directs the parallel stacking of these layers, resulting in a 3D structure with one-dimensional channels accessible by two different pore windows. The preferred growth orientation of the crystal produces prolonged channels and a disparity in pore size distribution. This in turn results in slow diffusion processes in the material. Furthermore, an isoreticular MOF was prepared by substituting the BDC linker by 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H2NDC).