Synthesis and crystal structures of two nickel coordination polymers generated from asymmetric malate ligand

Two nickel coordination polymers Ni(H₂O)(C₄H₄O₅)]·H₂O 1 and Ni(H₂O)(mal)(phen)] 2, have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for 1: C₄H₈O₇Ni, monoclinic Cc, , , , , Z=4. Crystal data for 2: C₁₆H₁₄N₂O₆Ni, orthorhombic Pna2₁, , , , Z=4. Compound 1 is constructed from Ni(H₂O)(C₄H₄O₅)] sheets pillared through β-carboxylate groups into a 3D framework, which exhibits a diamond-like network. Compound 2 exhibits a 3D supramolecular network. To our knowledge, compound 1 represents the first diamond-like topology in the system of metal-malate. Other characterizations by elemental analysis, IR and TG are also described. The magnetic behavior of compound 1 has been studied.