Structure of Organic and Metal−Organic Networks Based on a Bifunctional m-Terphenyl Carboxylic Acid

A series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based upon the ligand 2,6-diphenyl-1,4-dibenzoic acid Ph2C6H2(CO2H)2∞ have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The networks exhibit a variety of topologies and coordination modes at the metal center. The reaction of the ligand with cobalt(II) nitrate or zinc(II) nitrate in methanol/pyridine results in the formation of isostructural 1-D chains (Ph2C6H2(CO2)2)M(py)2(MeOH)∞, where M = Zn, Co; however, in the presence of ethanol and triethylamine, Zn(NO3)2 reacts to form a 2-D clay-like network, (Ph2C6H2(CO2)2)Zn(EtOH)2∞. 2-D networks are also formed in similar reactions with copper(II) nitrate or silver(I) nitrate to give (Ph2C6H2(CO2)(CO2H))2Cu(py)2∞, (Ph2C6H2(CO2)CO2H))2Cu(py)4·2H2O∞, and (Ph2C6H2(CO2)2)Ag2∞, respectively. The hydrogen-bonded chains formed by the ligand alone and with 4,4'-dipyridyl are also described.