Zn/Mn–MOFs with `S‐shaped' packing modes

Two novel polymers exhibiting metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized by the combination of a metal ion with a benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate ligand (BTC) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) under hydrothermal conditions. The first compound, poly(μ₄‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylato‐κ⁴O:O′:O′′:O′′′)(μ‐hydroxido‐κ²O:O)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)dizinc(II)] 0.32‐hydrate], {Zn₂(C₉H₃O₆)(OH)(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·0.32H₂O}_n, denoted Zn–MOF, forms a two‐dimensional network in which a binuclear Zn₂ cluster serves as a 3‐connecting node; the BTC trianion also acts as a 3‐connecting centre. The overall topology is that of a 6³ net. The phen ligands serve as appendages to the network and interdigitate with phen ligands belonging to adjacent parallel sheets. The second compound, poly(μ₆‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylato‐κ⁷O¹,O^1′:O¹:O³:O^3′:O⁵:O^5′)(μ₃‐hydroxido‐κ²O:O:O)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)dimanganese(II)] 1.26‐hydrate], {Mn₂(C₉H₃O₆)(OH)(C₁₂H₈N₂)]·1.26H₂O}_n, denoted Mn–MOF, exists as a three‐dimensional network in which an Mn₄ cluster serves as a 6‐connecting unit, while the BTC trianion again plays the role of a 3‐connecting centre. The overall topology is that of the rutile net. Phen ligands act as appendages to the network and form the `S‐shaped' packing mode.