Unusual 3D ZnII coordination networks with mixed tetrahedral and square-planar building units: from 2-fold interpenetrating bbf architecture to self-penetrating 86 topological frameworks

Abstract

Two unusual 4-connected Zn^II coordination networks have been successfully constructed from tetrahedral Zn^II and square-planar 3,3′,5,5′-azobenzenetetracarboxylate building units with the aid of comparable N-donor bridging spacers [1,3-bis(imidazol)propane and 1,3-bis(imidazol)butane], which direct the distinct 2-fold interpenetrating (6⁴·8²)(6⁶)₂ (bbf) structure with homochiral double-wall helical tubular motifs and the self-penetrating 8⁶ network, respectively.