A novel chiral framework constructed through three-fold interpenetration of (4,4) nets of Ni(II)–muconate–4,4′-bipyridine

The assembly of Ni(II) ions with linear spacers trans,trans-muconic acid (H2L) and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) has afforded a compound, [Ni(L)(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)2]n (1). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that both 4,4′-bpy and deprotonated H2L act as linear bridges to bind square-planar Ni(II) nodes. Achiral ligands 4,4′-bpy induced in a chiral configuration link metal nodes into chiral chains, which are further bound into homochiral sheets by rigid L. Finally, a novel 3D chiral framework forms through three-fold slantwise interpenetration of those chiral (4, 4) nets. The magnetic studies in the range 2–300 K show that magnetic behavior of 1 possesses a large zero-field splitting of Ni(II) ions and an anti-ferromagnetic interaction between metal centers.