Toward a robust porous coordination polymer: the inhibition of mutual movement between interpenetrating sub-networks by introduction of multiple C–H⋯π interactions

Abstract

Two isostructural porous coordination polymers based on a tetrahedral ligand and azamacrocyclic Ni(II) complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized. This work demonstrates that a robust porous coordination polymer can be stabilized by intermolecular C–H⋯π contacts between the sub-networks. Furthermore, these compounds exhibit two kinds of gas separation mechanism related to the different pore sizes they possess.