Two ligand-functionalized Pb(ii) metal-organic frameworks: structures and catalytic performances

A microporous Pb(ii) metal-organic framework (MOF) PbL(2)]·2DMF·6H(2)O (1) has been assembled from a N-oxide and amide doubly functionalized ligand HL (= N-(4-carboxyphenyl)isonicotinamide 1-oxide). Complex 1 features a three-dimensional (3D) framework possessing one-dimensional (1D) rhombic channels with dimensions of 13 × 13 ?(2). The 3D framework is built up from 1D PbO(2) chains that link ligands in parallel fashion to construct single-wall channels. When recrystallizing 1 in a DMSO-DMF mixture (3?:?5 v/v), a new coordination polymer, PbL(2)]·DMF·2H(2)O (2), was obtained. Complex 2 is also a 3D framework containing 1D rectangular channels, but the channel dimensions become reduced in size to 13 × 8 ?(2) due to reorganization of the Pb(ii) coordination environment. The PbO(2) chains in 2 are reformed to link ligands in a double-wall fashion, significantly reducing the channel size. Even though, the guest exchange study indicates that the DMF molecules in 2 could be replaced with benzene molecules when immersing in benzene solvent, showing single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC-SC) guest exchange in the solid state and leading to a daughter crystal PbL(2)]·0.5C(6)H(6)·2H(2)O (2'). Desolvated 1 and 2 display preferential adsorption behaviors of water vapour over CO(2) due to the hydrophilic nature of the channels and the strong host-guest interactions. Catalytic tests indicate that desolvated 1 and 2 have size-selective catalytic activity towards the Knoevenagel condensation reaction.