Design and syntheses of two threefold interpenetrating 2-D networks

Two new interpenetrating networks, Ni(2,2′-bpy)(5-npa)(bpe)_0.5(H₂O)] _n (1) and Ni(2,2′-bpy)(5-npa)(bpa)_0.5(H₂O)] _n (2) (2,2′-bpy?=?2,2′-bipyridine, 5-npa?=?5-nitroisophthalato, bpe?=?1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, bpa?=?1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, X-ray powder diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 have similar structures and show a threefold interpenetrating topology constructed by three 2-D wave-like networks. Secondary building unit (SBU), Ni(2,2′-bpy)(5-npa)(H₂O)] _n , was used as starting material of the multistep reaction. Replacing one coordination bond of chelating carboxyl group of SBUs by bpe and bpa afford the two threefold interpenetrating complexes.