Two three-dimensional metal–organic frameworks constructed by multiple building blocks of benzenetricarboxylate and bis(imidazole) ligands

Two novel metal–organic frameworks [Zn3(BTC)2(bbi)3]n (1) (H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, bbi = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole)) and{[Zn3(BTC)2(bix)3 · 2.5H2O]}n (2) (bix = 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene) have been hydrothermally prepared and characterized. Analysis of the structure of 1 displays a 3D framework exhibiting a threefold interpenetration net of identical Zn1.5(BTC)(bbi)1.5 single frameworks. In the structure of 2, BTC3− and bix build up infinite tubes extending to a 3D non-interpenetrated porous framework. Moderate fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature were observed in both the compounds.