Self-Immolative Activation of β-Galactosidase-Responsive Probes for In Vivo MR Imaging in Mouse Models

Our lab has developed a new series of self-immolative MR agents for the rapid detection of enzyme activity in mouse models expressing β-galactosidase (β-gal). We investigated two molecular architectures to create agents that detect β-gal activity by modulating the coordination of water to Gd^III. The first is an intermolecular approach, wherein we designed several structural isomers to maximize coordination of endogenous carbonate ions. The second involves an intramolecular mechanism for q modulation. We incorporated a pendant coordinating carboxylate ligand with a 2, 4, 6, or 8 carbon linker to saturate ligand coordination to the Gd^III ion. This renders the agent ineffective. We show that one agent in particular (6-C pendant carboxylate) is an extremely effective MR reporter for the detection of enzyme activity in a mouse model expressing β-gal.     

catena‐Poly[[bis(μ‐2‐sulfonatobenzoato)bis[triaquagadolinium(III)]]‐μ‐oxalato]

The asymmetric unit of the title coordination polymer, [Gd₂(C₇H₄O₅S)₂(C₂O₄)(H₂O)₆]_n or [Gd(2‐SB)(ox)_0.5(H₂O)₃]_2n (2‐SB is 2‐sulfonatobenzoate and ox is oxalate), (I), consists of one Gd^III ion, one 2‐SB anion, three coordinated water molecules and one half of an ox ligand. The ox ligand is located on a crystallographic inversion centre. The Gd^III centre shows a distorted tricapped trigonal–prismatic coordination formed by nine O atoms from two 2‐SB anions, one ox ligand and three coordinated water molecules. The carboxylate and sulfonate groups of the 2‐SB anions adopt μ₂‐η¹:η² and μ₁‐η⁰:η⁰:η¹ coordination modes to link two Gd^III ions, generating a centrosymmetric binuclear [Gd₂(2‐SB)₂(H₂O)₆]²⁻ subunit. The ox ligand acts as a bridge, linking the binuclear [Gd₂(2‐SB)₂(H₂O)₆]²⁻ subunits into a one‐dimensional chain structure parallel to the b axis. Furthermore, extensive O—H...O hydrogen bonds connect the chains into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

A novel three‐dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer: poly[[diaquadi‐μ3‐chlorido‐μ2‐chlorido‐tri‐μ3‐nicotinato‐tricopper(I)gadolinium(III)] hemihydrate]

In the title polymeric heterometallic compound, {[Cu₃Gd(C₆H₄NO₂)₃Cl₃(H₂O)₂]·0.5H₂O}_n, comprising copper(I) and gadolinium(III) cations bridged by nicotinate (nic) ligands and chloride anions, the Gd^III centers display a bicapped trigonal prismatic geometry, defined by six carboxylate O atoms and two water molecules. For copper(I), one Cu center is three‐coordinated by three chloride ions and displays a trigonal–planar geometry; the other two Cu centers are four‐coordinated and display a very distorted tetrahedral geometry. The chloride anions act in μ₂‐ and μ₃‐bridging modes, linking the Cu^I ions into an infinite chain. The nic ligand exhibits a tridentate coordination mode, with the carboxylate O atoms linking to two Gd^III ions and the N atom linking to one Cu^I ion. Thus, a novel three‐dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer is constructed from Gd–carboxylate subunits and Cu—Cl chains. In addition, intra‐ and intermolecular O—H...O and O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds are also observed within the three‐dimensional structure. Topologically, the framework represents an unusual 3,6‐connected (4.8²)₃(4¹⁰.6⁵) net.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of GdIII‐Based Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Prostate‐Specific Membrane Antigen

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is advantageous because it concurrently provides anatomic, functional, and molecular information. MR molecular imaging can combine the high spatial resolution of this established clinical modality with molecular profiling in vivo. However, as a result of the intrinsically low sensitivity of MR imaging, high local concentrations of biological targets are required to generate discernable MR contrast. We hypothesize that the prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), an attractive target for imaging and therapy of prostate cancer, could serve as a suitable biomarker for MR‐based molecular imaging. We have synthesized three new high‐affinity, low‐molecular‐weight Gd^III‐based PSMA‐targeted contrast agents containing one to three Gd^III chelates per molecule. We evaluated the relaxometric properties of these agents in solution, in prostate cancer cells, and in an in vivo experimental model to demonstrate the feasibility of PSMA‐based MR molecular imaging.     

Cyclodextrin‐Based Bimodal Fluorescence/MRI Contrast Agents: An Efficient Approach to Cellular Imaging

A novel bimodal fluorescence/MRI probe based on a cyclodextrin scaffold has been synthesized and characterized. The final agent employs the fluorescein (F) functionality as a fluorescence marker and the Gd^III complex of a macrocyclic DOTA‐based ligand (GdL) having one aminobenzyl‐phosphinic acid pendant arm as an MRI probe, and has a statistical composition of (GdL)_6.9‐F_0.1‐β‐CD. Slow rotational dynamics (governed by a very rigid cyclodextrin scaffold) combined with fast water exchange (ensured by the chosen macrocyclic ligand) resulted in a high relaxivity of ～22 s^?1 mM ^?1 per Gd^III or ～150 s^?1 mM ^?1 per molecule of the final conjugate (20 MHz, 25 °C). In vitro labelling of pancreatic islets (PIs) and rat mesenchymal stem cells has been successfully performed. The agent is not cytotoxic and is easily internalized into cells. The labelled cells can be visualized by MRI, as proved by the detection of individual labelled PIs. A fluorescence study performed on mesenchymal stem cells showed that the agent stays in the intracellular space for a long time.     

Biocompatible Infinite‐Coordination‐Polymer Nanoparticle–Nucleic‐Acid Conjugates for Antisense Gene Regulation

Herein, we report the synthesis of DNA‐functionalized infinite‐coordination‐polymer (ICP) nanoparticles as biocompatible gene‐regulation agents. ICP nanoparticles were synthesized from ferric nitrate and a ditopic 3‐hydroxy‐4‐pyridinone (HOPO) ligand bearing a pendant azide. Addition of Fe^III to a solution of the ligand produced nanoparticles, which were colloidally unstable in the presence of salts. Conjugation of DNA to the Fe^III–HOPO ICP particles by copper‐free click chemistry afforded colloidally stable nucleic‐acid nanoconstructs. The DNA–ICP particles, when cross‐linked through sequence‐specific hybridization, exhibited narrow, highly cooperative melting transitions consistent with dense DNA surface loading. The ability of the DNA–ICP particles to enter cells and alter protein expression was also evaluated. Our results indicate that these novel particles carry nucleic acids into mammalian cells without the need for transfection agents and are capable of efficient gene knockdown.     

(μ‐1,2‐Dimethoxyethane‐κ2O:O′)bis[(1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐κ2O,O′)tris(1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐4‐oxopent‐2‐en‐2‐olato‐κ2O,O′)cerium(III)]

A previous analysis [Fatila et al. (2012). Dalton Trans. 41 , 1352–1362] of the title complex, [Ce₂(C₅HF₆O₂)₆(C₄H₁₀O₂)₃], had identified it as Ce(hfac)₃(dme)_1.5 according to the ¹H NMR integration [hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate (1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐4‐oxopent‐2‐en‐2‐olate) and dme = 1,2‐dimethoxyethane]; however, it was not possible to determine the coordination environment unambiguously. The structural data presented here reveal that the complex is a binuclear species located on a crystallographic inversion center. Each Ce^III ion is coordinated to three hfac ligands, one bidentate dme ligand and one monodentate (bridging) dme ligand, thus giving a coordination number of nine (CN = 9) to each Ce^III ion. The atoms of the bridging dme ligand are unequally disordered over two sets of sites. In addition, in two of the –CF₃ groups, the F atoms are rotationally disordered over two sets of sites. This is the first crystal structure of a binuclear lanthanide β‐diketonate with a bridging dme ligand.     

Poly[diaqua(μ4‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato)(isonicotinato‐κ2O,O′)gadolinium(III)]

The title neutral polymer, [Gd(C₆H₄NO₂)(C₈H₄O₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, contains an extended two‐dimensional wave‐like lanthanide carboxylate layer decorated by isonicotinate (IN) ligands. The Gd^II atom is eight‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (1,2‐bdc) ligands, two 1,2‐bdc carboxylate O atoms from one chelating IN ligand and two terminal water molecules, forming a bicapped trigonal–prismatic coordination geometry. The wave‐like layers are stacked in an …ABAB… packing mode along the c‐axis direction. Strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions further stabilize the structure of the title compound.     

Poly[tetra‐μ2‐l‐lactato‐indium(III)sodium(I)]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [InNa(C₃H₅O₃)₄]_n, consists of one In^III ion, one Na^I ion and four crystallographically independent l ‐lactate monoanions. The coordination of the In^III ion is composed of five carboxylate O and two hydroxy O atoms in a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. The Na^I ion is six‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms and two hydroxy O atoms from four l ‐lactate ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. Each In^III ion is coordinated by four surrounding l ‐lactate ligands to form an [In(l ‐lactate)₄]⁻ unit, which is further linked by Na^I ions through Na—O bonds to give a two‐dimensional layered structure. Hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy groups and carboxylate O atoms are observed between neighbouring layers.     

2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylphosphinine versus 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine: Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Cationic RhIII and IrIII Complexes Based on Aromatic Phosphorus Heterocycles

The bidentate P,N hybrid ligand 1 allows access for the first time to novel cationic phosphinine‐based Rh^III and Ir^III complexes, broadening significantly the scope of low‐coordinate aromatic phosphorus heterocycles for potential applications. The coordination chemistry of 1 towards Rh^III and Ir^III was investigated and compared with the analogous 2,2′‐bipyridine derivative, 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine ( 2 ), which showed significant differences. The molecular structures of [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were determined by means of X‐ray diffraction and confirm the mononuclear nature of the λ³‐phosphinine–Rh^III and Ir^III complexes. In contrast, a different reactivity and coordination behavior was found for the nitrogen analogue 2 , especially towards Rh^III as a bimetallic ion pair [RhCl(Cp*)( 2 )]⁺[RhCl₃(Cp*)]^? is formed rather than a mononuclear coordination compound. [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl react with water regio‐ and diastereoselectively at the external P?C double bond, leading exclusively to the anti‐addition products [MCl(Cp*)( 1 H ? OH)]Cl as confirmed by X‐ray crystal‐structure determination.     

Low‐Dimensional Carboxylate‐Bridged GdIII Complexes for Magnetic Refrigeration

Four carboxylate‐bridged Gd^III complexes ( 1 – 4 ) with 1D/2D structures have been synthesized by using the hydrothermal reaction of Gd₂O₃ with various carboxylate ligands. Compounds 1 and 2 contained the same [2n] Gd^III? OH ladders, but with different crystallographically independent Gd^III ions, whilst the structures of compounds 3 and 4 were composed of [Gd₄(μ₃‐OH)₂(piv)₈(H₂O)₂]²⁺ units and 1D ladder Gd^III chains, respectively. Antiferromagnetic interactions occurred in compounds 1 – 3 , owing to their small Gd? O? Gd angles, whereas ferromagnetic coupling occurred in compound 4 , in which the Gd? O? Gd angles were larger. These complexes exhibited a distinct magnetocaloric effect (MCE), which was affected by their different magnetic densities and exchange interactions. Among these compounds, complex 4 presented the largest MCE (?ΔS_m^max=43.6 J kg^?1 K^?1), the lowest M_w/N_Gd ratio (the highest magnetic density), and weak ferromagnetic coupling. Therefore, a lower M_w/N_Gd ratio and weaker exchange interactions (a smaller absolute value of θ) between Gd^III ions resulted in a larger MCE for the Gd^III complexes.     

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Physicochemical Properties of LnIII Complexes of Aminoethyl‐DO3A as pH‐Responsive T1‐MRI Contrast Agents

N‐Substituted aminoethyl groups were attached to 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid (DO3A) with the aim to design pH‐responsive Ln^III complexes based on the pH‐dependent on/off ligation of the amine nitrogen to the metal ion. The following ligands were synthesized: AE ‐ DO3A (aminoethyl‐DO3A), MAE ‐ DO3A (N‐methylaminoethyl‐DO3A), DMAE ‐ DO3A (N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl‐DO3A) and MEM ‐ AE ‐ DO3A (N‐methoxyethyl‐N‐methylaminoethyl‐DO3A). The physicochemical properties of the Ln^III complexes were investigated for the evaluation of their potential applicability as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In particular, a ¹H and ¹⁷O NMR relaxometric study was carried out for these Gd^III complexes at two different pH values: at basic pH (pendant amino group coordinated to the metal centre) and at acidic pH (protonated amine, not interacting with the metal ion). Eu^III complexes allow one to estimate the number of inner‐sphere water molecules through luminescence lifetime measurements and obtain some structural information through variable‐temperature (VT) high‐resolution ¹H NMR studies. Equilibria between differently hydrated species were found for most of the complexes at both acidic and basic pH. The thermodynamic stability of Ca^II, Zn^II, Cu^II and Ln^III complexes and kinetics of formation and dissociation reactions of Ln^III complexes of AE ‐ DO3A and DMAE ‐ DO3A were investigated showing stabilities comparable to currently approved Gd^III‐based CAs. In detail, higher total basicity (Σlog K_i^H) and higher stability constants of Ln^III complexes were found for AE ‐ DO3A with respect to DMAE ‐ DO3A (i.e., log K_{Gd‐ AE‐DO3A} =22.40 and log K_{Gd‐ DMAE‐DO3A} =20.56). The transmetallation reactions of Gd^III complexes are very slow (Gd‐ AE ‐ DO3A : t_1/2=2.7×10⁴ h; Gd‐ DMAE ‐ DO3A : 1.1×10⁵ h at pH 7.4 and 298 K) and occur through proton‐assisted dissociation.     

Hydride‐Rhodium(III)‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts for Vinyl‐Selective H/D Exchange: A Structure–Activity Study

A series of neutral and cationic Rh^III‐hydride and Rh^III‐ethyl complexes bearing a NHC ligand has been synthesized and evaluated as catalyst precursors for H/D exchange of styrene using CD₃OD as a deuterium source. Various ligands have been examined in order to understand how the stereoelectronic properties can modulate the catalytic activity. Most of these complexes proved to be very active and selective in the vinylic H/D exchange, without deuteration at the aromatic positions, displaying very high selectivity toward the β‐positions. In particular, the cationic complex [RhClH(CH₃CN)₃(IPr)]CF₃SO₃ showed excellent catalytic activity, reaching the maximum attainable degree of β‐vinylic deuteration in only 20 min. By modulation of the catalyst structure, we obtained improved α/β selectivity. Thus, the catalyst [RhClH(κ²‐O,N‐C₉H₆NO)(SIPr)], bearing an 8‐quinolinolate ligand and a bulky and strongly electron‐donating SIPr as the NHC, showed total selectivity for the β‐vinylic positions. This systematic study has shown that increased electron density and steric demand at the metal center can improve both the catalytic activity and selectivity. Complexes bearing ligands with very high steric hindrance, however, proved to be inactive.     

The Series of Rare Earth Complexes [Ln2Cl6(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)(py)6], Ln=Y,Pr, Nd,Sm‐Yb: A Molecular Model System for Luminescence Properties in MOFs Based on LnCl3 and 4,4′‐Bipyridine

A series of 12 dinuclear complexes [Ln₂Cl₆(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)(py)₆], Ln=Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, ( 1 – 12 , respectively) was synthesized by an anhydrous solvothermal reaction in pyridine. The complexes contain a 4,4′‐bipyridine bridge and exhibit a coordination sphere closely related to luminescent lanthanide MOFs based on LnCl₃ and 4,4‐bipyridine. The dinuclear complexes therefore function as a molecular model system to provide a better understanding of the luminescence mechanisms in the Ln‐N‐MOFs ${\hbox{}{{\hfill 2\atop \hfill \infty }}}$ [Ln₂Cl₆(4,4′‐bipy)₃] ? 2(4,4′‐bipy). Accordingly, the luminescence properties of the complexes with Ln=Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, ( 1 , 4 – 8 ) were determined, showing an antenna effect through a ligand–metal energy transfer. The highest efficiency of luminescence is observed for the terbium‐based compound 7 displaying a high quantum yield (QY of 86 %). Excitation with UV light reveals typical emission colors of lanthanide‐dependent intra 4f–4f‐transition emissions in the visible range (Tb^III: green, Eu^III: red, Sm^III: salmon red, Dy^III: yellow). For the Gd^III‐ and Y^III‐containing compounds 6 and 1 , blue emission based on triplet phosphorescence is observed. Furthermore, ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (LMCT) states, based on the interaction of Cl^? with Eu^III, were observed for the Eu^III compound 5 including energy‐transfer processes to the Eu^III ion. Altogether, the model complexes give further insights into the luminescence of the related MOFs, for example, rationalization of Ln‐independent quantum yields in the related MOFs.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Class of Mitochondrially‐Targeted Gadolinium(III) Agents

A structure–activity relationship study of a library of novel bifunctional Gd^III complexes covalently linked to arylphosphonium cations is reported. Such complexes have been designed for potential application in binary cancer therapies such as neutron capture therapy and photon activation therapy. A positive correlation was found between lipophilicity and cytotoxicity of the complexes. Mitochondria uptake was determined by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), and Gd uptake was determined by means of quantification using synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging. A negative correlation between lipophilicity and tumour selectivity of the Gd^III complexes was demonstrated. This study highlights the delicate balance required to minimise in vitro cytotoxicity and optimise in vitro tumour selectivity and mitochondrial localisation for this new class of mitochondrially‐targeted binary therapy agents. We also report the highest in vitro tumour selectivity for any Gd agent reported to date, with a T/N (tumour/normal cell) ratio of up to 23.5±6.6.     

A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound: bis(μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)‐κ4O2,N,O6:O6′;κ4O2:O2′,N,O6‐bis[(azido‐κN)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)bismuth(III)] tetrahydrate

A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound, [Bi₂(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(N₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·4H₂O, has been synthesized by an ionothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of one centrosymmetric dinuclear neutral fragment and four water molecules. Within the dinuclear fragment, each Bi^III centre is seven‐coordinated by three O atoms and four N atoms. The coordination geometry of each Bi^III atom is distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal (BiO₃N₄), with one azide N atom and one bridging carboxylate O atom located in axial positions. The carboxylate O atoms and water molecules are assembled via O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. Two types of π–π stacking interactions are found, with centroid‐to‐centroid distances of 3.461 (4) and 3.641 (4) Å.     

Tetra‐μ‐α‐alanine‐bis­[tetra­aqua­gadolinium(III)] hexaperchlorate

The title complex, [Gd₂(C₃H₇NO₂)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, contains centrosymmetric dimeric [Gd₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈]⁶⁺ cations (Ala is α‐alanine) and perchlorate anions. The four alanine mol­ecules act as bridging ligands linking two Gd³⁺ ions through their carboxylate O atoms. Each Gd³⁺ ion is also coordinated by four water mol­ecules, which complete an eightfold coordination in a square‐antiprism fashion. The perchlorate anions and the methyl groups of the alanine ligands are disordered.     

A one‐dimensional coordination polymer with a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework: catena‐poly[[[(3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline)cadmium(II)]‐μ3‐4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoato] trihydrate]

In the title mixed‐ligand metal–organic polymeric compound, {[Cd(C₁₄H₈O₆S)(C₁₆H₁₆N₂)]·3H₂O}_n, the asymmetric unit contains a crystallographically unique Cd^II atom, one doubly deprotonated 4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H₂SDBA) ligand, one 3,4,7,8‐tetramethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (TMPHEN) molecule and three solvent water molecules. Each Cd^II centre is six‐coordinated by two O atoms from a chelating carboxylate group of a SDBA²⁻ ligand, two O atoms from monodentate carboxylate groups of two different SDBA²⁻ ligands and two N atoms from a chelating TMPHEN ligand. There are two coordination patterns for the carboxylate groups of the SDBA²⁻ ligand, with one in a μ₁‐η¹:η¹ chelating mode and the other in a μ₂‐η¹:η¹ bis‐monodentate mode. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the title compound is a one‐dimensional double‐chain polymer containing 28‐membered rings based on the [Cd₂(CO₂)₂] rhomboid subunit. More interestingly, a chair‐shaped water hexamer cluster is observed in the compound.     

Poly[(μ2‐aqua‐κ2O:O)(μ3‐azido‐κ3N1:N1:N3)(μ2‐isonicotinato‐κ2O:O′)lead(II)]

In the title compound, [Pb(C₆H₄NO₂)(N₃)(H₂O)]_n, the Pb ion is seven‐coordinated by three N atoms from three azide ligands, two O atoms from two isonicotinate (inic) ligands and two O atoms from two coordinated water molecules, forming a distorted monocapped triangular prismatic coordination geometry. Each azide ligand bridges three Pb^II ions in a μ_1,1,3 coordination mode to form a two‐dimensional three‐connected 6³ topology network extending in the bc plane. The carboxylate group of the inic unit and the aqua ligand act as coligands to bridge Pb^II ions. Adjacent two‐dimensional layers are connected by hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the isonicotinate N atom and the water molecule, resulting in an extended three‐dimensional network. The title complex is the first reported coordination polymer involving a p‐block metal, an azide and a carboxylate.     

A novel parallel interpenetrating two‐dimensional (4,4) network: poly[[μ2‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene](μ2‐naphthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)zinc(II)]

In the title coordination compound, [Zn(C₁₂H₆O₄)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, the two Zn^II centers exhibit different coordination environments. One Zn^II center is four‐coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral environment surrounded by two carboxylate O atoms from two different naphthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (1,4‐ndc) anions and two N atoms from two distinct 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (1,4‐bix) ligands. The coordination of the second Zn^II center comprises two N atoms from two different 1,4‐bix ligands and three carboxylate O atoms from two different 1,4‐ndc ligands in a highly distorted square‐pyramidal environment. The 1,4‐bix ligand and the 1,4‐ndc anion link adjacent Zn^II centers into a two‐dimensional four‐connected (4,4) network. The two (4,4) networks are interpenetrated in a parallel mode.