Rational Approach Towards Designing Metallogels From a Urea‐Functionalized Pyridyl Dicarboxylate: Anti‐inflammatory,Anticancer, and Drug Delivery

A structural rationale was adopted to design a series of metallogels from a newly synthesized urea‐functionalized dicarboxylate ligand, namely, 5‐[3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)ureido]isophthalic acid ( PUIA ), that produces metallogels upon reaction with various metal salts (Cu^II, Zn^II, Co^II, Cd^II, and Ni^II salts) at room temperature. The gels were characterized by dynamic rheology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The existence of a coordination bond in the gel state was probed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy in a Zn^II metallogel (i.e., MG2 ). Single crystals isolated from the reaction mixture of PUIA and Co^II or Cd^II salts characterized by X‐ray diffraction revealed lattice inclusion of solvent molecules, which was in agreement with the hypothesis based on which the metallogels were designed. MG2 displayed anti‐inflammatory response (prostaglandin E₂ assay) in the macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and anticancer properties (cell migration assay) on a highly aggressive human breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231). The MG2 metallogel matrix could also be used to load and release (pH responsive) the anticancer drug doxorubicin. Fluorescence imaging of MDA‐MB‐231 cells treated with MG2 revealed that it was successfully internalized.     

A mixed‐valence chair‐like tetranuclear copper(I,II) cluster with three linking modes of the 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole ligand

In the tetranuclear copper complex tetrakis[μ‐3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]bis[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]dicopper(I)dicopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu^I₂Cu^II₂(C₁₂H₈N₅)₆]·2H₂O, the asymmetric unit is composed of one Cu^I center, one Cu^II center, three anionic 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐BPT) ligands and one solvent water molecule. The Cu^I and Cu^II centers exhibit [Cu^IN₄] tetrahedral and [Cu^IIN₆] octahedral coordination environments, respectively. The three independent 2‐BPT ligands adopt different chelating modes, which link the copper centers to generate a chair‐like tetranuclear metallomacrocycle with metal–metal distances of about 4.4 × 6.2 Å disposed about a crystallographic inversion center. Furthermore, strong π–π stacking interactions and O—H...N hydrogen‐bonding systems link the tetracopper clusters into a two‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Remarkable Shape‐Sustaining,Load‐Bearing,and Self‐Healing Properties Displayed by a Supramolecular Gel Derived from a Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide of L‐Phenyl Alanine

A series of bis‐amides decorated with pyridyl and phenyl moieties derived from L ‐amino acids having an innocent side chain (L ‐alanine and L ‐phenyl alanine) were synthesized as potential low‐molecular‐weight gelators (LMWGs). Both protic and aprotic solvents were found to be gelled by most of the bis‐amides with moderate to excellent gelation efficiency (minimum gelator concentration=0.32–4.0 wt. % and gel–sol dissociation temperature T_gel=52–110 °C). The gels were characterized by rheology, DSC, SEM, TEM, and temperature‐variable ¹H NMR measurements. pH‐dependent gelation studies revealed that the pyridyl moieties took part in gelation. Structure–property correlation was attempted using single‐crystal X‐ray and powder X‐ray diffraction data. Remarkably, one of the bis‐pyridyl bis‐amide gelators, namely 3,3‐Phe (3‐pyridyl bis‐amide of L ‐phenylalanine) displayed outstanding shape‐sustaining, load‐bearing, and self‐healing properties.     

5,20‐Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐Substituted Antiaromatic [28]Hexaphyrin and Its Bis‐NiII and Bis‐CuII Complexes

5,20‐Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐[28]hexaphyrin was synthesized by acid catalyzed cross‐condensation of meso‐diaryl‐substituted tripyrrane and ethyl 2‐oxoacetate followed by subsequent oxidation. This hexaphyrin was found to be a stable 28π‐antiaromatic compound with a dumbbell‐like conformation. Upon oxidization with PbO₂, this [28]hexaphyrin was converted into an aromatic [26]hexaphyrin with a rectangular shape bearing two ester groups at the edge side. The [28]hexaphyrin can incorporate two Ni^II or Cu^II metals by using the ester carbonyl groups and three pyrrolic nitrogen atoms to give bis‐Ni^II and bis‐Cu^II complexes with essentially the same dumbbell‐like structure. The antiaromatic properties of the [28]hexaphyrin and its metal complexes have been well characterized.     

Stimuli‐Responsive Metallogels for Synthesizing Ag Nanoparticles and Sensing Hazardous Gases

A newly synthesized bis‐pyridyl ligand having a diphenyl ether backbone ( LP6 ) displayed the ability to form crystalline coordination polymers ( CP1‐CP6 ) which were fully characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Most of the resulting polymers were lattice‐occluded crystalline solids—a structural characteristic reminiscent to gels. The reactants of the coordination polymers produced metallogels in DMSO/water confirming the validity of the design principles with which the coordination polymers were synthesized. Some of the metallogels displayed material properties like in situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles and stimuli‐responsive gel–sol transition including sensing hazardous gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.     

Synthesis,Characterization, DNA‐binding Properties,and ­Antioxidant Activity of a Copper(II) Complex with 1, 3‐Bis­(1‐allaylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxopropane

A new complex of copper(II) picrate (pic) with 1, 3‐bis(1‐allaylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxopropane (aobb), with the composition [Cu(aobb)₂](pic)₂, was synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of the copper(II) complex revealed that the coordination environment around the central copper(II) atom is a distorted octahedral arrangement. Electronic absorption spectroscopy, ethidium bromide displacement experiments and viscosity measurements indicate that the ligand and the Cu^II complex can strongly bind to calf thymus DNA, presumably by an intercalation mechanism. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the Cu^II complex was determined by superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging method in vitro, which indicate that the Cu^II complex has the activity to suppress OH ^· and O₂ ^{· –}.     

A Stable Organic π‐Radical of a Zinc(II)–Copper(I)–Zinc(II) Complex of Decaphyrin

A Zn^II‐Cu^I‐Zn^II heterotrimetal complex of decaphyrin was synthesized by stepwise metalations: metalation of a [46]decaphyrin with Zn^II ions to produce a 46π decaphyrin bis(Zn^II) complex and its subsequent metalation with Cu^II ion. In the second metalation step, it has been shown that Cu^II ion is reduced to a Cu^I ion in the complex and a dianionic bis(Zn^II) containing [46]decaphyrin ligand is oxidized to the corresponding monoanionic [45]decaphyrin ligand, indicating a non‐innocent nature of the decaphyrin ligand. Despite the radical nature, the heterotrimetal complex is fairly stable under ambient conditions and exhibits almost no intermolecular magnetic interaction, owing to extensive delocalization of an unpaired electron in the large π‐conjugated circuit of decaphyrin moiety.     

A three‐dimensional mixed‐valence CuII/CuI coordination polymer constructed from biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylate and 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene ligands

Coordination polymers (CPs) built by coordination bonds between metal ions/clusters and multidentate organic ligands exhibit fascinating structural topologies and potential applications as functional solid materials. The title coordination polymer, poly[diaquabis(μ₄‐biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylato‐κ⁴O³:O^3′:O^4′:O⁵)tris[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]dicopper(II)dicopper(I)], [Cu^II₂Cu^I₂(C₁₅H₇O₆)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)₃(H₂O)₂]_n, was crystallized from a mixture of biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃bpt), 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,4‐bib) and copper(II) chloride in a water–CH₃CN mixture under solvothermal reaction conditions. The asymmetric unit consists of two crystallographically independent Cu atoms, one of which is Cu^II, while the other has been reduced to the Cu^I ion. The Cu^II centre is pentacoordinated by three O atoms from three bpt³⁻ ligands, one N atom from a 1,4‐bib ligand and one O atom from a coordinated water molecule, and the coordination geometry can be described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal. The Cu^I atom exhibits a T‐shaped geometry (CuN₂O) coordinated by one O atom from a bpt³⁻ ligand and two N atoms from two 1,4‐bib ligands. The Cu^II atoms are extended by bpt³⁻ and 1,4‐bib linkers to generate a two‐dimensional network, while the Cu^I atoms are linked by 1,4‐bib ligands, forming one‐dimensional chains along the [20] direction. In addition, the completely deprotonated μ₄‐η¹:η¹:η¹:η¹ bpt³⁻ ligands bridge one Cu^I and three Cu^II cations along the a (or [100]) direction to form a three‐dimensional framework with a (10³)₂(10)₂(4².6.10².12)₂(4².6.8².10)₂(8) topology via a 2,2,3,4,4‐connected net. An investigation of the magnetic properties indicated a very weak ferromagnetic behaviour.     

Synthese,Struktur und EPR‐Untersuchungen von binuklearen Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato))‐Komplexen des CuII,NiII, ZnII,CdII und PdII

Synthesis, Structure and EPR Investigations of binuclear Bis(N,N,N?,N?‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato)) Complexes of Cu^II, Ni^II, Zn^II, Cd^II and Pd^II The synthesis of binuclear Cu^II‐, Ni^II‐, Zn^II‐, Cd^II‐ and Pd^II‐complexes of the quadridentate ligand N,N,N?,N?‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thiourea) and the crystal structures of the Cu^II‐ and Ni^II‐complexes are reported. The Cu^II‐complex crystallizes in two polymorphic modifications: triclinic, (Z = 1) and monoclinic, P2₁/c (Z = 2). The Ni^II‐complex was found to be isostructural with the triclinic modification of the copper complex. The also prepared Pd^II‐, Zn^II‐ and Cd^II‐complexes could not be characterized by X‐ray analysis. However, EPR studies of diamagnetically diluted Cu^II/Pd^II‐ and Cu^II/Zn^II‐powders show axially‐symmetric g and A ^Cu tensors suggesting a nearly planar co‐ordination within the binuclear host complexes. Diamagnetically diluted Cu^II/Cd^II powder samples could not be prepared. In the EPR spectra of the pure binuclear Cu^II‐complex exchange‐coupled Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs were observed. According to the large Cu^II‐Cu^II distance of about 7,50Å a small fine structure parameter D = 26·10^?4 cm^?1 is observed; T‐dependent EPR measurements down to 5 K reveal small antiferromagnetic interactions for the Cu^II‐Cu^II dimer. Besides of the dimer in the EPR spectra the signals of a mononuclear Cu^II species are observed whose concentration is T‐dependent. This observation can be explained assuming an equilibrium between the binuclear Cu^II‐complex (Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs) and oligomeric complexes with “isolated” Cu^II ions.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy Amides and β‐Amino Alcohols from α‐Keto Amides

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched α‐hydroxy amides and β‐amino alcohols has been accomplished by enantioselective reduction of α‐keto amides with hydrosilanes. A series of α‐keto amides were reduced in the presence of chiral Cu^II/(S)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS catalyst to give the corresponding optically active α‐hydroxy amides with excellent enantioselectivities by using (EtO)₃SiH as a reducing agent. Furthermore, a one‐pot complete reduction of both ketone and amide groups of α‐keto amides has been achieved using the same chiral copper catalyst followed by tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) catalyst in presence of (EtO)₃SiH to afford the corresponding chiral β‐amino alcohol derivatives.     

Bismetal Complexes of 5,20‐Bis(5‐formyl‐2‐pyrrolyl)‐[26]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) Exhibiting Strong Near‐Infrared Region Absorptions

[26]Hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) bearing two 5‐formyl‐2‐pyrrolyl groups at the 5‐ and 20‐positions was prepared by cross‐condensation of 5,10‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)‐substituted tripyrrane with 2,5‐diformylpyrrole as an effective binuclear metal‐coordinating ligand, owing to the two hemiporphyrin‐like NNNN pockets. In fact, metalation of this hexaphyrin with Zn^II, Cu^II, and Pd^II salts proceed smoothly at room temperature to give the corresponding bismetal complexes that displayed remarkably redshifted absorption spectra reaching deep into near infrared region. These redshifted absorption bands are ascribed, through electrochemical investigations and DFT calculations, to two structural motifs: the N‐metalopyrrole substructure that elevates the HOMO level due to the electron‐donating property and the two coordinated metal ions that serve as Lewis acids to lower the LUMO level.     

Post‐Synthetic Monovalent Central‐Metal Exchange,Specific I2 Sensing,and Polymerization of a Catalytic [3×3] Grid of [CuII5CuI4L6]⋅(I)2⋅13 H2O

From a predesigned grid, [Cu^II₅Cu^I₄L₆] ? (I)₂ ? 13 H₂O ( 1 ), in which LH₂ was a pyrazinyl‐triazolyl‐2,6‐substituted pyridine, we successfully synthesized an extended 3D complex, ¹_∞[{Cu^II₅Cu^I₈L₆}{μ‐[Cu^I₃(CN)₆]}₂ ? 2 CH₃‐ CN] ( 2 ), that displayed unprecedented coexistence of all the five known coordination geometries of copper. Grid 1 displayed monovalent central metal exchange (CME) of Cu^I for Ag^I for the first time, as well as the formation of tri‐iodide in the crystalline state. These systems were investigated for their magnetic properties. Remarkably, grid 1 showed much higher catalytic activity than the Ag‐exchanged product for synthesis of a substituted triazole, 1‐benzyl‐4‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole.     

Synthese,Strukturen, NMR‐ und EPR‐Untersuchungen der binuklearen Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(selenoureato))‐Komplexe des NiII und CuII

Synthesis, Structures, NMR and EPR Investigations of Binuclear Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(selenoureato)) Complexes of Ni^II and Cu^II The synthesis of binuclear Cu^II and Ni^II complexes of the quadridentate ligand N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(selenourea) and their crystal structures are reported. The complexes crystallize monoclinic, P2₁/c (Z = 2). In the EPR spectra of the binuclear Cu^II complex exchange‐coupled Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs were observed. In addition the signals of a mononuclear Cu^II species are observed what will be explained with the assumption of an equilibrium between the binuclear Cu^II‐complex (Cu^II‐Cu^II pairs) and oligomeric complexes with “isolated” Cu^II ions. Detailed ¹³C and ⁷⁷Se NMR investigations on the ligand and the Ni^II complex allow an exact assignment of all signals of the heteroatoms.     

Nanocomposite Made of an Oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene)‐Based Trihybrid Thixotropic Metallo(organo)gel Comprising Nanoscale Metal–Organic Particles,Carbon Nanohorns,and Silver Nanoparticles

A silver ion (Ag⁺)‐triggered thixotropic metallo(organo)gel of p‐pyridyl‐appended oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene) derivatives (OPVs) is reported for the first time. Solubilization of single‐walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) in solutions of the pure OPVs as well as in the metallogels mediated by π–π interactions has also been achieved. In situ fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the SWCNH‐doped dihybrid gel leads to the formation of a trihybrid metallogel. The mechanical strength of the metallogels could be increased stepwise in the order: freshly prepared gel<dihybrid gel<trihybrid gel. Microscopic studies of the trihybrid gel indicate the formation of three distinct morphologies, that is, nanoscale metal–organic particles (NMOPs), flowerlike aggregates of SWCNHs and AgNPs, and also their integration with each other. Detailed studies suggest lamellar organizations of the linear metal–ligand complexes in the NMOPs, which upon association create a three‐dimensional network that eventually immobilizes the solvent molecules.     

Di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis{[bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine‐κ3N′,N′′,N′′′]copper(II)} bis(perchlorate)

The title compund, [Cu₂(OH)₂(C₂₂H₂₅N₃)₂](ClO₄)₂, is a copper(II) dimer, with two [CuL]²⁺ units [L is bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine] bridged by hydroxide groups to define the {[CuL](μ‐OH)₂[CuL]}²⁺ cation. Charge balance is provided by perchlorate counter‐anions. The cation has a crystallographic inversion centre halfway between the Cu^II ions, which are separated by 3.0161 (8) Å. The central core of the cation is an almost regular Cu₂O₂ parallelogram of sides 1.931 (2) and 1.935 (2) Å, with a Cu—O—Cu angle of 102.55 (11)°. The coordination geometry around each Cu^II centre can be best described as a square‐based pyramid, with three N atoms from L ligands and two hydroxide O atoms completing the coordination environment. Each cationic unit is hydrogen bonded to two perchlorate anions by means of hydroxide–perchlorate O—H...O interactions.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Characterization of Two Oxamido‐bridged NiIICuIINiII Heteronuclear Complexes

Two new trinuclear complexes [Cu^II(Ni^IIX₁)₂(C₂H₅OH)₂]· (ClO₄)₂·2(CH₃OH) ( 1 ) and [Cu^II(Ni^IIX₂)₂(H₂O)]·(ClO₄)₂· 0.75(H₂O) ( 2 ) (X₁ = dianion of 5,6;13,14‐dibenzo‐7,12‐bis(ethoxycarboxyl)‐9‐methyl‐2,3‐dioxo‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradeca‐7,11‐diene. X₂ = dianion of 5,6;13,14‐dibenzo‐9,10‐cyclohexano‐7,12‐bis(ethoxycarboxyl)‐2,3‐dioxo‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradeca7,11‐diene.) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray analysis, elemental analysis, IR, UV and EPR spectroscopies. The complexes consist of Ni^IICu^IINi^II heteronuclear cationic entities. The central Cu^II atom of 1 lies in an octahedral coordination environment, while that of 2 resides in a square‐pyramidal coordination sphere. The adjacent trinuclear units of 1 are linked together through π‐π stacking interactions resulting in a 1D supramolecular chain, whereas the π‐π stacking interactions between the contiguous units of 2 lead to a 2D structure. The EPR spectra of the two complexes show a signal of an axially elongated octahedral Cu^II system in 1 and an axially elongated square‐pyramidal Cu^II system in 2 , respectively. The hyperfine splitting of the Cu^II atoms (I^Cu = 3/2) has also been observed in the EPR spectra.     

Metallkomplexe naphthyl‐substituierter Thioharnstoffderivate

Metal Complexes of Naphthyl‐substituted Thiourea Derivatives The thiourea derivative N, N‐diethyl‐N′‐2‐naphthoylthiourea ( 1 ) and three N‐(dialkylaminothiocarbonyl)‐N′‐(1‐naphthyl)‐arylamidines ( 2 ‐ 4 ) have been synthesized and Cu^II‐, Ni^II‐ and Pd^II‐complexes of them have been prepared. According to the X‐ray structure analyses 1 with Cu^II and Ni^II under deprotonation forms neutral bis‐chelates of nearly square‐planar coordination with a cis arrangement of the O and S ligator atoms. Using their N and S atoms in 1, 3 position as ligators, 2 ‐ 4 in deprotonated form coordinate to Cu^II and Pd^II as neutral bis‐chelates, in the case of Cu^II with a distorted tetrahedral coordination. Pd^II is coordinated square planar and has, probably due to the spatial influence of the 1‐naphthyl groups, a trans arrangement of the N and S ligator atoms.     

Poly[[aqua‐μ3‐2,2‐dimethylmalonato‐copper(II)] monohydrate] and poly[aqua‐μ3‐2,2‐dimethylmalonato‐copper(II)]

The coordination mode of the dimethylmalonate ligand in the two title Cu^II complexes, {[Cu(C₅H₃O₄)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, (I), and [Cu(C₅H₃O₄)(H₂O)]_n, (II), is the same, with chelated six‐membered, bis‐monodentate and bridging bonding modes. However, the coordination environment of the Cu^II atoms, the connectivity of their metal–organic frameworks and their hydrogen‐bonding interactions are different. Complex (I) has a perfect square‐pyramidal Cu^II environment with the aqua ligand in the apical position, and only one type of square grid consisting of Cu^II atoms linked via carboxylate bridges to three dimethylmalonate ligands, with weak hydrogen‐bond interactions within and between its two‐dimensional layers. Complex (II) has a coordination geometry that is closer to square pyramidal than trigonal bipyramidal for its Cu^II atoms with the aqua ligand now in the basal plane. Its two‐dimensional layer structure comprises two alternating grids, which involve two and four different dimethylmalonate anions, respectively. There are strong hydrogen bonds only within its layers.     

Structure and Magnetic Properties of a 2D Paddle‐wheel Dinuclear[Cu2] Cluster‐based Polymer with 1,1‐Cyclohexanediacetate Ligand

One new two‐dimensional (2D) Cu^II polymer [Cu(CHDA)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ) was synthesized solvothermally based on 1,1‐cyclohexanediacetic acid (H₂CHDA) ligand. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 has a 2D framework structure consisting of paddle‐wheel dinuclear [Cu₂] cluster unit and CHDA^2– connector, which bears a 4‐connected sql network with Schläfli symbol of (4⁴.6²). Magnetic studies indicate the presence of strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J = –302 cm^–1) between the two Cu^II ions in the paddle‐wheel dicopper(II) entity.     

A self‐penetrated three‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination framework based on 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoic acid and 1,3‐bis[(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene ligands: synthesis,structure and properties

With the rapid development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a variety of MOFs and their derivatives have been synthesized and reported in recent years. Commonly, multifunctional aromatic polycarboxylic acids and nitrogen‐containing ligands are employed to construct MOFs with fascinating structures. 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐Triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoic acid (H₃TATB) and the bidentate nitrogen‐containing ligand 1,3‐bis[(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene (bib) were selected to prepare a novel Zn^II‐MOF under solvothermal conditions, namely poly[[tris{μ‐1,3‐bis[(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}bis[μ₃‐4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoato]trizinc(II)] dimethylformamide disolvate trihydrate], {[Zn₃(C₂₄H₁₂N₃O₆)₂(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₃]·2C₃H₇NO·3H₂O}_n ( 1 ). The structure of 1 was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction. The properties of 1 were investigated by thermogravimetric and fluorescence analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that 1 belongs to the monoclinic space group Pc. The asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically independent Zn^II centres, two 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzoate (TATB^3?) anions, three complete bib ligands, one and a half free dimethylformamide molecules and three guest water molecules. Each Zn^II centre is four‐coordinated and displays a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The Zn^II centres are connected by TATB^3? anions to form an angled ladder chain with large windows. Simultaneously, the bib ligands link Zn^II centres to give a helical Zn–bib–Zn chain. Furthermore, adjacent ladders are bridged by Zn–bib–Zn chains to form a fascinating three‐dimensional self‐penetrated framework with the short Schläfli symbol 6⁵·7·8¹³·9·10. In addition, the luminescence properties of 1 in the solid state and the fluorescence sensing of metal ions in suspension were studied. Significantly, compound 1 shows potential application as a fluorescent sensor with sensing properties for Zr⁴⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.