The ligand, the metal and the 'Holey'-host: Synthesis, structural and magnetic characterisation of Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) metal-organic frameworks incorporating 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine.

We report herein the single crystal structures of four metal-organic framework complexes incorporating the 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine ligand, H(2)dcbp: alpha-[Co(dcbp)(H(2)O)(2)], 1; beta-[Co(dcbp)(H(2)O)(2)], 2, [Ni(dcbp)(H(2)O)(2)], and [[Mn(dcbp)].1/2DEF], 4 (DEF = diethylformamide). In each complex the ligand is deprotonated giving neutral species with 1:1 stoichiometry that form three-dimensional coordination polymers.

Solvent templated synthesis of metal-organic frameworks: structural characterisation and properties of the 3D network isomers [[Mn(dcbp)].1/2DMF]n and [[Mn(dcbp)][middle dot]2H2O](n).

The identity of the metal-organic framework formed by Mn(ii) and 4,4[prime or minute]-dicarboxy-2,2[prime or minute]-bipyridine (H(2)dcbp) depends upon the predominant solvent employed in the synthesis and yields the robust network isomers [[Mn(dcbp)][middle dot]1/2DMF](n), and [[Mn(dcbp)][middle dot]2H(2)O](n), which possess vastly different physical properties: irretrievably binds DMF, whereas reversibly binds water whilst retaining crystallinity.