Heavy analogues of the 6π-electron anionic ring systems: Cyclopentadienide ion and cyclobutadiene dianion

The heavy analogues of the anionic 6π-electron systems, lithium 1,2-disila-3-germacyclopentadienide 2⁻ · [Li⁺(thf)], 1,2-disila-3,4-digerma- and 1,2,3,4-tetrasilacyclobutadiene dianions 7²⁻ · 2[K⁺(thf)₂] and 8²⁻ · 2[K⁺(thf)₂], were synthesized by the reduction of the neutral precursors 1, 3 and 4, respectively. 2⁻ · [Li⁺(thf)], the heavy analogue of the cyclopentadienide ion, is an aromatic compound, whereas 7²⁻ · 2[K⁺(thf)₂] and 8²⁻ · 2[K⁺(thf)₂], the heavy analogues of the cyclobutadiene dianion, are both non-aromatic.     

Assemblies based on the directing effect of non-classical W18 anionic clusters and the rod-like trans-1,2-di-(4-pyridyl)-ethylen (bpe)

Two polyoxometalate (POM) supramolecular assemblies based on W₁₈ clusters and the rigid organic trans-1,2-di-(4-pyridyl)-ethylen (bpe) have been synthesized and fully characterized, namely (H₂bpe)3.5H₂[SbW₁₈O₆₀]·5H₂O (1), and (H₂bpe)5[Ni₄(AsW₉O₃₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·3H2O (2). Compounds 1-2 are formed from organic bpe cations and different polytungstate anions: pseudo-Dawson-type [SbW₁₈O₆₀]⁹⁻ in 1 and sandwich-type [Ni₄(H₂O)₂(AsW₉O₃₄)₂]¹⁰⁻ in 2. Both of compounds 1-2 crystallize in a low-symmetrical space group of P-1 and consist of a complicated supramolecular network based on non-covalent intermolecular weak interactions, including hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking. The multipoint hydrogen bonding interactions constitute the structural feature in two supramolecular frameworks. The UV-vis, fluorescence and electrochemistry properties are also studied.     

Ring transformation of cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium ion to the corresponding pyrrole derivatives via troponeimine intermediates: photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reactions of some amines

Ring transformation of 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan- 8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate 4⁺·BF₄⁻ to 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrrole-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate 6a-d⁺·BF₄⁻ consists of the reaction of 4⁺·BF₄⁻ with amines and subsequent exchange of the counter-ion using aq. HBF₄. Reactions of 4⁺·BF₄⁻ with aniline and 4-substituted anilines afforded the corresponding pyrrole derivatives 6a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ directly in good yields. On the other hand, reaction of 4⁺·BF₄⁻ with benzylamine gave the troponeimine intermediate 9, which was not converted to 6d⁺·BF₄⁻ and reverted to 4⁺·BF₄⁻ by adding HBF₄; however, it was converted to 6d⁺·BF₄⁻ upon treatment with (COCl)₂ or SOCl₂, followed by exchange of the counter-ion. In a search for the characteristics of 9, inspection and comparison of the X-ray crystal analyses, NMR and UV-vis spectra, and CV measurement of 9 and N,N-disubstituted troponeimine derivatives 12 were carried out to suggest the remarkable structure of 12 having ionic C-O bonding between the imine-carbon atom and the oxygen atom of the barbituric acid moiety in the solid state. Thus, characteristics of 9 were ascribed to the sterically hindered and favorable conformation of N-protonated troponeimine intermediates. Furthermore, novel photo-induced oxidation reactions of a series of 4⁺·BF₄⁻, 5⁺·BF₄⁻, and 6a,e⁺·BF₄⁻ towards some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines in 455-8362% yields [based on compounds 4⁺, 5⁺, and 6a,e⁺], suggesting the oxidation reaction occurs in an autorecycling process. Mechanistic aspects of the amine-oxidation reaction are also postulated.     

Novel photo-induced oxidative cyclization of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(1-arylmethylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-triones: synthesis and properties of areno[5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1,3H)-dionylium ions and their photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward some amines

Novel photo-induced oxidative cyclization was accomplished to synthesize areno[b]pyrimido[5,4-e]pyran-2,4(1,3H)-dionylium ions 13a-c⁺·ClO₄⁻. Furthermore, 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ and their phenyl-substituted derivatives 19a,b⁺·BF₄⁻ were alternatively synthesized by the reaction of salicylaldehyde and its naphthyl derivatives with barbituric acids and subsequent treatment with aq. HBF₄. Structural characteristics of 13a-c⁺ and 19a,b⁺ were clarified on inspection of the UV-vis and NMR spectral data as well as X-ray crystal analyses. The electrochemical properties were studied by the CV measurement. In a search for reactivity, reactions of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydride, benzylamine, and H₂O, were also carried out. The photo-induced autorecycling oxidation reactions of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) in 643-3600% yield (recycling number of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻: 6.4-36.0).     

Anion and cation binding by a new indole/pyridine/amine-based ion-pair receptor

A new ion-pair receptor bis(3-bromoindol-2-ylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (1) was synthesized and studied for its anion and cation binding behavior using ESI-MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Among halides, 1 exhibits the strongest binding with Cl⁻ to form a 1:1 adduct (K_a = 1042 ± 21 in CD₃CN). Among alkali metal ions, Li⁺ and Na⁺ showed the strongest binding in the formation of a 1·M⁺ complex. The simultaneous binding of Cl⁻ and Li⁺ to 1 was confirmed by ¹H NMR titration of a 1:1 mixture of 1 and Cl⁻ with LiPF₆ in 83:17 v/v mixture of CDCl₃ and DMSO-d₆. DFT-optimized structures of 1·Cl⁻, 1·Li⁺, and 1·Li⁺·Cl⁻ are consistent with the chemical shift changes observed in ¹H NMR studies.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and properties of tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylato bridged copper(II) coordination polymers with alkali metals

Four tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylato bridged copper(II) coordination polymers with alkali metals, Na₂[Cu(H₂O)(THFTC)]·5H₂O 1, K₂[Cu₃(H₂O)₂(THFTC)₂]·9H₂O 2, Rb₂[Cu₃(H₂O)₂(THFTC)₂]·6H₂O 3 and Cs₂[Cu₃(H₂O)₂(THFTC)₂]·6H₂O 4 (H₄THFTC = tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid) were prepared from reactions of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid and alkali hydroxide or carbonate at pH 5.0–6.0 under ambient conditions. Compound 1 features 2D (3³·4³·5⁴) topological layers generated from six-coordinated Cu²⁺ cations interlinked by (THFTC)⁴⁻ anions, and the resulting layers are ecliptically stacked along [1 0 0] direction to form lozenge-shaped and octagonal channels filled with Na⁺ ions and lattice H₂O molecules. In 2–4, both penta- and hexa-coordinated copper(II) ions are bridged by tetracarboxylate anions to form negatively charged 2D layers formulated as ²_∞[Cu(H₂O)₂L_3/2]²⁻ with the corresponding alkali metal cations (K⁺, Rb⁺ or Cs⁺ ions) and hydrogen bonded lattice H₂O molecules sandwiched between them. Additionally, the results about i.r. spectroscopic, thermal characterizations and magnetic properties are presented.     

Calix[4]arenes containing urea and crown/urea moieties: effects of the crown ether unit and Na towards anion binding ability

Calix[4]arenes containing urea and crown/urea moieties, 7 and 10, respectively have been synthesized. ¹H NMR titrations of 7 and 10 with anions in DMSO-d₆ showed that 7 and 10 formed complexes with Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ to a different extent. The association constants of 7 and 10 towards anions were calculated and found to vary as H₂PO₄⁻>Cl⁻>Br⁻>NO₃⁻. However, compared to 7 the presence of the crown unit in 10 resulted in a slightly higher affinity to Cl⁻ and Br⁻, but a lower affinity to H₂PO₄⁻. Upon addition of Na⁺, the binding ability of 10 towards H₂PO₄⁻ is increased due to ion-pair enhancement.     

Hydrothermal assembly of (3,6)-connected networks with classical mineral structures constructed from Anderson-type heteropolymolybdate and metal cations

A series of 3D heteropolymolybdates, (NH₄)₂{[M(H₂O)₃]₂[TeMo₆O₂₄]}·H₂O (M=Mn(1), Co(2), Ni(3), Cu(4), and Zn(5)) and [Ln(H₂O)₄]₂[TeMo₆O₂₄]·3H₂O (Ln=La(6), Ce(7), and Nd(8)), has been isolated from hydrothermal reactions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, X-ray crystallography and magnetic properties. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compounds 1-8 possess unusual (3,6)-connected networks constructed from Anderson-type anions [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ and transion metal or rare-earth metal cations. Compounds 1-5 are of highly symmetrical structures with pyrite-like topology in which [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ anions act as 6-connected sites and transition metal cations act as 3-connected sites. Compounds 6-8 crystallize in symmetrical space groups lower than that of 1-5 exhibiting rutile-like topology with [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ anions acting as 6-connected sites and rare-earth metal cations acting as 3-connected sites. The magnetic properties of 1-4 are also presented.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and property of one- and two-dimensional complexes based on paradodecatungstate-B cluster

Three polyoxotungstates, Na₈[Cu(H₂O)₂(H₂W₁₂O₄₂)]·30H₂O (1), Na₈[Cd(H₂O)₂(H₂W₁₂O₄₂)]·20H₂O (2), and Na_7.4[Cd_1.3(H₂O)₂(H₂W₁₂O₄₂)]·24H₂O (3), were synthesized and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric (TG)analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray single-crystal analysis. Both complexes 1 and 2 exhibit one-dimensional structure with two neighboring paradodecatungstate-B clusters, [H₂W₁₂O₄₂]¹⁰⁻, linked by [Cu(H₂O)₂]²⁺ or [Cd(H₂O)₂]²⁺ units, while complex 3 displays a two-dimensional network structure. The electrochemical behaviors of complexes 1 and 3 were investigated in the buffer solution of pH 4.8. The results of electrocatalysis reveal that the reduced species of complexes 1 and 3 are electrocatalytically active for the reduction of nitrite. Complex 1 exhibits the electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of nitrate as well. The surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and electric field-induced SPS (EFISPS) measurements show that the surface photovoltage behavior of complex 1 is complicated while complex 3 bears the property of n-type semiconductor.     

Two new hybrid compounds assembled from Keggin-type polyoxometalates and transition metal coordination complexes

Two new hybrid compounds based on Keggin-type polyoxometalates: {[PMo₁₂O₄₀][Ni(Phen)₂(H₂O)]₂}·K·2OH⁻ (1) and [Cd₂(Phen)₄Cl₂][HPW₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O (2) (Phen=1,10-phenanthroline), have been prepared and characterized by IR, UV-vis, XPS, XRD and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 exhibits a 1-D chain structure constructed from Pseudo-Keggin polyoxometalate bi-supported transition metal coordination complexes linked by K⁺ ions. Compound 2 contains Pseudo-Keggin polyoxoanions [HPW₁₂O₄₀]²⁻ and novel metal-chloride-ligand coordination complexes [Cd₂(Phen)₄Cl₂]²⁺.     

The supramolecular chemistry of metal complexes with heavily substituted imidazoles as ligands: Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole

An investigation of the M^II/X⁻/L [M^II = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; X⁻ = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NCS⁻, NO₃⁻, N₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻; L = 1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole] general reaction system towards the detailed study of the intermolecular interactions utilized for controlling the supramolecular organization and the structural consequences on the structures produced has been initiated. Three representative complexes with the formulae [Co(NO₃)₂(L)₂] (1), [Zn(NO₃)₂(L)₂] (2) and [Co(NCS)₂(L)₂]·EtOH (3·EtOH) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous (tetragonal, I4₁cd) with their metal ions in a severely distorted octahedral Co/ZnN₂O₄ environment, while 3·EtOH crystallizes in P2₁/c with a tetrahedral CoN₄ coordination. The structural analysis of 1, 2 and 3·EtOH reveals a common mode of packing among neighbouring ligands (expressed through intramolecular π–π interactions between the 4,5-diphenylimidazole moieties), enhancing thus the rigidity and stability of the complexes. The bent coordination of the two isothiocyanates in 3 [Co–NCS angles of 173.8(2) and 160.8(2)°] seems to be caused by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and crystal packing effects.     

Synthesis, properties, and oxidizing function of 6-substituted 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Uracil-annulated heteroazulenes, 6-substituted 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates 7a,b·BF₄⁻, which are the isoelectronic compounds of 5-dezazaflavin, were synthesized. X-Ray crystal analysis and MO calculations were carried out to clarify the structural characteristics of 7a,b·BF₄⁻. The stability of cations 7a,b is expressed by the pK_R+ values which were determined spectrophotometrically to be 10.9 and 11.2, respectively. The electrochemical reduction of 7a,b exhibited high reduction potentials at −0.84 and −0.87 (V vs Ag/AgNO₃) upon cyclic voltammetry (CV). A good linear correlation between the pK_R+ values and reduction potentials (E1_red) of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ and reference compounds 4·BF₄⁻ and 5·BF₄⁻ was obtained. In a search of the reactivity, reactions of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydride and diethylamine, were carried out to clarify that the introduction of nucleophiles to give regio-isomers is dependent on the nucleophile. The photo-induced oxidation reactions of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ toward some alcohols under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in more than 100% yield [based on compounds 7a,b·BF₄⁻], suggesting the oxidizing function of 7a,b·BF₄⁻ toward alcohols in the autorecycling process.     

Lanthanide (III) addition of [Mo2O3S(HNTA)2] (Ln=Eu, Dy)

The reactions of LnCl₃·6H₂O (Ln=Eu or Dy) and Na₂[Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂]·6H₂O afford Na[Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂]₂·Eu(H₂O)₉·3H₂O (1) (NTA=nitrilotriacetate) and Na{(H₂O)₆Dy[Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂]₂}·7.5H₂O (2), respectively. The [Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂]²⁻ cluster units of 1 are interconnected by Na⁺ into a 3-D open framework with rutile topology templated by . The coordination of [Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂]²⁻ to the slightly smaller Dy³⁺ ion of greater ionic potential as a consequence of lanthanide contraction has been observed to form the pentanuclear heterometallic {Dy(H₂O)₆[Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂]₂}⁻, which is linked by Na⁺ and hydrogen bonds between the protonated carboxylate groups into a 3-D supramolecular framework. The weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Dy³⁺ ions of 2 have been observed.     

Syntheses, structures and properties of 3D inorganic-organic hybrid frameworks constructed from lanthanide polymer and Keggin-type tungstosilicate

Inorganic-organic hybrid frameworks, namely [Ce(H₂O)₃(pdc)]₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀]·6H₂O 1, [M(H₂O)₄(pdc)]₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀]·2H₂O (M=Ce for 2a, La for 2b, Nd for 2c; H₂pdc=pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) were assembled through incorporation of Keggin-type heteropolyanion [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ within the voids of lanthanides-pdc network as pillars or guests under hydrothermal condition. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of these crystals reveal that compound 1 presents 3D pillar-layered framework with the [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions located on the square voids of the two-dimensional Ce-pdc bilayer. Compounds 2a-c are isostructural and constructed from 3D Ln-pdc-based metal-organic framework (MOF) incorporating noncoordinating guests Keggin structure [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻. Solid-state properties of compounds 1 and 2a-c such as thermal stability and photoluminescence have been further investigated.     

A new heteroditopic receptor and sensor highly selective for bromide in the presence of a bound cation

The heteroditopic receptor 2 containing a crown ether and amidoferrocence groups was synthesized and the binding abilities with various anions are reported in the presence and absence of metal cations. In the presence of Na⁺, 2 showed positive co-operative binding towards Br⁻ with the binding affinity K_ass = 16,096 M⁻¹. Therefore, receptor 2 showed a switched-on binding for Br⁻ in the presence of Na⁺ and a switched-off binding in the absence of Na⁺. Compound 2 was also found to sense Cl⁻ and Br⁻ electrochemically.     

Anion effect on the construction of copper(II) coordination polymers with the twisted ligand bis(4-pyridylthio)methane

The reaction of CuSO₄ · H₂O with 4-bpytm [4-bpytm = bis(4-pyridylthio)methane] in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(SO₄)(4-bpytm)(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (1 · H₂O) while the reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · H₂O (2 · H₂O). The reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH/dmf under microwave irradiation afforded the pseudo-polymorph [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · Solv (2 · Solv). Compound 1 · H₂O forms helical chains while compounds 2 · H₂O and 2 · Solv are 2D coordination polymers with a (4,4) topology based on rhombic grids in 2 · H₂O and on a parquet motif in 2 · Solv. The 3D supramolecular organization through hydrogen bonding is analyzed for the three compounds and their thermal behaviour was also investigated.     

Hydrothermal assembly and luminescence property of lanthanide-containing Anderson polyoxometalates

Two compounds, {[Sm(H₂O)₅]₂(TeMo₆O₂₄)}·6H₂O (1) and {[Eu(H₂O)₇]₂ (TeMo₆O₂₄)}·5H₂O (2) have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, thermal stability analyses, X-ray powder diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 represents the first example of a 2D layer architecture constructed from Anderson-type polyoxoanions [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ and rare-earth ions Ln³⁺. Compound 2 displays a 1D chain structure built up of alternating Anderson-type polyoxoanions [TeMo₆O₂₄]⁶⁻ and rare-earth ions Eu³⁺ along the c-axis. Luminescence measurement of 2 exhibits typical red fluorescent emission of the Eu³⁺ ion at room temperature. Furthermore, the emission is intense enough to be observed macroscopically under UV irradiation (365 nm).     

Dinuclear copper complexes of pyridylphenylphosphine ligands: Characterization of a mixed-valence Cu/Cu dimer

Homo bi-copper complexes [Cu₂{PhP(2-py)₂}₂(NO₃)₃] (1) and [Cu₂{P(2-py)₃}₂Cl₂] (2), were synthesized from the reaction of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and CuCl₂·2H₂O with their corresponding 2-pyridylphosphine ligands. Compound 1 has a mixed valence Cu(I)-Cu(II) core with electron acceptor phosphine atoms and two NO₃⁻ anions coordinated in a monodentate fashion to Cu(I), giving it a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The environment of Cu(II) in 1 is composed of four nitrogen atoms from pyridyl and another NO₃⁻ anion in a square pyramidal geometry. This complex shows luminescence and a low energy absorption band at 969 nm corresponding to intermetallic electron transfer between the copper centers. Complex 2 was prepared from the treatment of copper(II) chloride with tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine, producing a binuclear copper complex which possesses a crystallographic inversion center. The copper geometry in this complex is distorted tetrahedral with coordination of one Cl⁻, two nitrogens from one bridging tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine ligand and one P atom from the other bridging tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine ligand, in a similar way observed in related complexes. The products have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and also by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.     

Structure,biological and electrochemical studies of transition metal complexes from N,S,N′ donor ligand 8-(2-pyridinylmethylthio)quinoline

The semirigid tridentate 8-(2-pyridinylmethylthio)quinoline ligand (Q1) is shown to form the structurally characterized transition metal complexes [Cu(Q1)Cl₂] (1), [Co(Q1)(NO₃)₂] (2), [Cd(Q1)(NO₃)₂] (3), [Cd(Q1)I₂] (4). [Cu(Q1)₂](BF₄)₂·(H₂O)₂ (5), [Cu(Q1)₂](ClO₄)₂·(CH₃COCH₃)₂ (6), [Zn(Q1)₂](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂ (7), [Cd₂(Q1)₂Br₄] (8), [Ag₂(Q1)₂(ClO₄)₂] (9), and [Ag₂(Q1)₂(NO₃)₂] (10). Four types of structures have been observed: ML-type in complexes 1–4, in which the anions Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ or I⁻ also participate in the coordination; ML₂⁻ type in complexes 5–7 without direct coordination of the anions BF₄⁻ or ClO₄⁻ and with more (Cu²⁺) or less (Zn²⁺) distorted bis-fac coordinated Q1; M₂L₂-type in complex 8, in which two Br⁻ ions act as bridges between two metal ions; and M₂(μ-L)₂-type in complexes 9 and 10, in which the ligand bridges two anion binding and Ag–Ag bonded ions. Depending on electron configuration and size, different coordination patterns are observed with the bonds from the metal ions to N_pyridyl longer or shorter than those to N_quinoline. Typically Q1 acts as a facially coordinating tridentate chelate ligand except for the compounds 9 and 10 with low-coordinate silver(I). Except for 6 and 8, the complexes exhibit distinct constraining effects against both G(+) and G(-) bacteria. Complexes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 have considerable antifungal activities and complexes 1, 5, 7, and 10 show selective effects to restrain certain botanic bacteria. Electrochemical studies show quasi-reversible reduction behavior for the copper(II) complexes 1, 5 and 6.     

Solid chemistry of the Zn/1,2,4-triazolate/anion system: Separation of 2D isoreticular layers tuned by the terminal counteranions X (X=Cl, Br, I, SCN)

An array of 2D isoreticular layers, viz. [Zn(atrz)X]_∞ (1·X; X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; atrz=3-amino-1,2,4-triazole anion), [Zn₄(atrz)₄(SCN)₄·H₂O]_∞ (1·SCN·H₂O) and [Zn(trz)X]_∞ (2·X; X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; trz=1,2,4-triazole anion), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1·X and 1·SCN·H₂O are constructed from binuclear planar Zn₂(atrz)₂ subunits and exhibit (4,4) topological network when the subunits are simplified as four-connected nodes. Based on changing the terminal counteranions X (X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, SCN⁻), the average interlayer separations of 1·X and 1·SCN·H₂O are enlarged, which equal to 5.851, 6.153, 6.651 and 8.292 Å, respectively. As a result, H₂O molecules reside in the spaces between two adjacent layers of 1·SCN·H₂O. 2 and 1 are the isomorphous structures. In common with 1, the interlayer separations of 2·X are widened with increasing the ion radius. Solid-state luminescence properties and thermogravimetric analyses of 1 and 2 were investigated, respectively.