A zigzag ladder-like metal–organic aggregate based on Co4-TC4A subunits and aromatic tricarboxylic acids

A new calixarene-based compound {[Co4Cl(TC4A)][Co4Cl(TC4A)(CH3OH)2 (H2O)2]}(PTC)2 (H4TC4A = p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and H3PTC = biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid) was obtained by solvothermal synthesis, and structurally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, EDS analysis, XRD analysis, TG-DTA analysis and IR spectroscopy. The structure was featured with some zigzag metal–organic ladders, which were constructed by bridging double Co4-TC4A shuttlecock-like secondary building units (SBUs) with PTCs. In order to evaluate its porosity, the N2 sorption measurement was carried out.

► A metal–calixarene aggregate was obtained by solvothermal method.
► A zigzag ladder with double-Co4 shuttlecock units bridged by acid linkers formed.
► The extended structure exhibits two kinds of channels along the b axis.