An unusual 2D nanoscaled quadruple-layer metal–organic framework based on octanuclear cobalt clusters

• 1 represents the first 2D nanoscaled quadruple-layer metal–organic framework based on octanuclear Co(II) clusters.
• 1 is the first (2D → 3D) interdigitated network assembled from sidearm-containing quadruple-layer motifs.
• The centrosymmetric octanuclear Co(II) clusters observed in 1 is still highly rare up to now.

Self-assembly of a flexible tricarboxylate ligand (H3L) and cobalt salt under hydrothermal conditions yields an unprecedented two-dimensional (2D) nanoscaled quadruple-layer networks [Co4(HL)3(μ3-OH)2(H2O)2]·5H2O (1) (H3L = (3,5-dicarboxyl-phenyl)-(4-(2′-carboxyl-phenyl)-benzyl)ether). The structure of compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectrum, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 represents the first 2D nanoscaled multiple-layer architecture constructed from octanuclear cobalt cluster building blocks. Furthermore, the adjacent sidearm-containing 2D quadruple-layer motifs are interdigitated in a mutual relationship to form a 3D supramolecular framework. In addition, the magnetic properties of compound 1 have been studied by measuring its magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range of 2–300 K, indicating the existence of antiferromagnetic coupling within the octanuclear cobalt cluster.

An unprecedented 2D nanoscaled quadruple-layer metal–organic framework, based on centrosymmetric octanuclear Co(II) clusters as secondary building units, is reported, which represents the first example of (2D → 3D) interdigitated network self-assembled from 2D sidearm-containing quadruple-layer motifs.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide