From Nonporous to Porous Doubly-Pillared-Layer Framework:
Control over Interpenetration via Shape Alteration of Layer Apertures

Xiao-Feng Wang,* Yue-Biao Zhang, and Wei Xue
Cryst. Growth Des. 2012, 12, 3, 1626-1631

By introducing an amino substituent group on the dicarboxylate ligand, a porous doubly pillared-layer framework [Co2(abdc)2(bpy)2]·8DMF (2; abdc = 2-amino-1,4-benzene dicarboxylate, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) has been obtained, which represents a shape/size modulation of the layer apertures to control over 2-fold interpenetration arising from the nonporous structure of [Co2(bdc)2(bpy)2] (1; bdc = 1,4-benzene dicarboxylate). The bulk-phase purity, framework robustness and permanent porosity of 2 have been confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and gas adsorption isotherms.