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.