Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a 3D anionic framework based on butterfly Ni4 clusters

A 3D MOF {[Ni(H2O)6][Ni4L2(μ3-OH)2(H2O)2]}n (1) with a (4,8)-connected flu net is constructed by a butterfly-like tetranuclear [Ni4(μ3-OH)2(COO)8]2 − anionic cluster and organic linker 2,3′,5,5′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic acid (H4L). The disordered [Ni(H2O)6]2 + cations fill in the free voids of anionic framework in 1. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that complex 1 shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions.