Tuning the structures of three complexes with (4,4) topologies based on imidazole-containing ligand via auxiliary dicarboxylates.

• Three new 3D complexes utilizing using a combination of imidazole-containing ligands were synthesized. • The structure of complexes 1, 2 and 3 were characterized adequately by X-ray, TG study, and gas adsorption properties. • Complex 2 has the adsorption abilities of H 2 O over MeOH and EtOH vapor. Solvothermal reactions of a tetradentate imidazole-containing ligand, 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,1′-biphenyl (L), combined with Zn(II) salt in the presence of varied auxiliary dicarboxylic acids yield three new polymers with (4,4) topologies, [Zn 2 (L)(o -BDC) 2 ] (1), [Zn 2 (L)(m -BDC) 2 ]·4H 2 O (2), [Zn 2 (L)(p -BDC) 2 ]·2MeOH·4H 2 O (3) (o -H 2 BDC = phthalic acid, m -H 2 BDC = isophthalic acid, p -H 2 BDC = terephthalic acid). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has revealed that complexes 1 and 2 consist of two-dimensional (2D) layers with different macrocycles, 40- and 52-membered macrocycles in 1 , while one 46-membered macrocycles in 2 , which is further connected by carboxylates to bring about three-dimensional (3D) frameworks. In complex 3 , the layers formed by L, partial p -BDC2− and Zn(II), are pillared by the rest p -BDC2− to result in the final 3D structure. Furthermore, the photoluminescence of these compounds as well as the sorption properties of 2 were investigated. Three new Zinc(II)-MOFs based on 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(1H-imidazol-1-yl)- 1,1′-biphenyl were synthesized. And The N 2 /H 2 O/MeOH/EtOH adsorption properties of one complex was explored. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]