An unprecedented (4,24)-connected metal-organic framework sustained by nanosized Ag(12) cuboctahedral node

Abstract

A novel 3D metal-organic framework (MOF), namely [Ag(12)(MA)(8)(mal)(6)center dot 18H(2)O](n) (1), (MA = melamine, H(2)mal = malonic acid) has been successfully synthesized through one-pot ultrasonic reaction of AgNO(3), MA and H(2)mal and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. In 1, eight tridentate MA ligands coordinate to 12 Ag(I) ions to form a nanosized Ag(12) cuboctahedron with an interior diameter of 1.2 nm, which combines with the quadridentate mal anion to give 1. This is a complicated 3D MOF, which is an unprecedented (4,24)-connected net with rare twf topology when using the Ag(12) cage and mal as 24- and 4-connected nodes, respectively. Of particular importance, the unusual network topology and integrity of the framework of 1 after dehydration have also been validated and discussed in detail.