A three-component hydrogen bonded framework

A porous three-component hydrogen bonded framework, 1⋅biphen⋅TP, was prepared from a tetra-amidinium component (1⁴⁺) and two different dianions, benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate (terephthalate, TP²⁻) and biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate (biphen²⁻). Interestingly, when the framework was prepared in ethanol/water, 1⋅biphen⋅TP forms even when an excess of either dicarboxylate is present. However, when only water is used as solvent, only two-component frameworks are formed.