Reaction of the chloranilate dianion with Y(NO3)3 in the presence of Et4N+ in the appropriate proportions results in the formation of (Et4N)[Y(can)2], which consists of anionic square‐grid coordination polymer sheets with interleaved layers of counter‐cations. These counter‐cations, which serve as squat pillars between [Y(can)2] sheets, lead to alignment of the square grid sheets and the subsequent generation of square channels running perpendicular to the sheets. The crystals are found to be porous and retain crystallinity following cycles of adsorption and desorption. This compound exhibits a high affinity for volatile guest molecules, which could be identified within the framework by crystallographic methods. In situ neutron powder diffraction indicates a size‐shape complementarity leading to a strong interaction between host and guest for CO2 and CH4. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments indicate significant interactions between the host framework and discrete I2 or Br2 molecules. A series of isostructural compounds (cat)[MIII(X‐an)2] with M=Sc, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, Bi or In, cat=Et4N, Me4N and X‐an=chloranilate, bromanilate or cyanochloranilate bridging ligands have been generated. The magnetic properties of representative examples (Et4N)[Gd(can)2] and (Et4N)[Dy(can)2] are reported with normal DC susceptibility but unusual AC susceptibility data noted for (Et4N)[Gd(can)2].

The structure of Li(inox)⋅2/3 DMF (inox(-) =the N-oxide of the isonicotinate anion) consists of a 3D framework with solvent-filled, square cross-section channels of approximate dimensions 5.5×5.5 Å. Unfortunately, the Li(inox) framework is unstable upon removal of DMF from the channels. When the structurally related 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (H2 hba) was used in place of Hinox, and Zn(2+) in place of the Li(+) , a structurally similar but more robust network, Zn(hba), was obtained; the isostructural compound, Co(hba), may also be prepared. Longer ligands with phenolate and carboxylate functional groups at opposite ends, such as the dianions of 4-coumaric acid (H2 cma) and 4'-hydroxy-4-biphenylcarboxylic acid (H2 hbpc), in combination with Zn(2+) yield Zn(cma) and Zn(hbpc) frameworks, respectively, with the same PtS topology but with larger channels. The coordination polymers remain intact after desolvation and exhibit microporosity, showing the ability to sorb significant quantities of CO2 , CH4 , and H2 .

A series of solid-state structural transformations are found to accompany desolvation of relatively simple coordination polymers to yield materials that exhibit unexpected gas sorbing properties. Reaction of 1,2,4,5-tetrahydroxybenzene with M(II) salts (M = Mg, or Zn) in an alcohol/water solution in the presence of air affords cis-M(II)(C6H2O4(-II))(H2O)2·2H2O·xROH, (M = Mg, or Zn), crankshaft-like chains in which the absolute configurations of the chiral metal centres follow the pattern Δ Δ Λ Λ Δ Δ Λ Λ, and are hydrogen bonded together to generate spacious channels. When crystals of the crankshaft chain are air dried the crystals undergo a single crystal-to-powder rearrangement to form linear trans-M(II)(C6H2O4(-II))(H2O)2 chains. Further dehydration yields microporous solids that reversibly sorb H2, CH4 and CO2 with high sorption enthalpies.

Reaction between LiOH and isonicotinic acid (inicH) in the appropriate solvent or mixture of solvents affords a family of variously solvated forms of a simple ionic lithium salt, viz., Li(+)inic(-)·S (where S = 0.5 morpholine, 0.5 dioxane, 0.25 n-hexanol, 0.5 N-methylpyrrolidinone, 0.5 N,N-dimethylformamide, 0.5 n-propanol, 0.5 cyclohexanol, 0.5 pyridine, 0.5 t-butanol, 0.5 ethanol, and 0.5 methanol). Three-dimensional Li(+)inic(-) frameworks containing solvent-filled channels are present in all of these except for the MeOH and EtOH solvates. The nondirectional character of the electrostatic interactions between the Li(+) and inic(-) ions bestows an element of "plasticity" upon the framework, manifested in the observation of no less than five different framework structures within the family. Unusual single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations accompany desolvation of Li(+)inic(-)·S in which the Li(+)inic(-) framework undergoes a major rearrangement (from a structure containing "8484 chains" to one with "6666 chains"). The "before and after" structures are strongly suggestive of the mechanism and the driving force for these solid state framework rearrangements: processes which further demonstrate the "plasticity" of the ionic Li(inic) framework. A solid-state mechanism for these desolvation processes that accounts very satisfactorily for the formation of the channels and for the diverse geometrical/topological aspects of the transformation is proposed. The reverse process allows the regeneration of the solvated 8484 form. When the 6666 Li(+)inic(-) form is immersed in carbon disulfide, a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation occurs to generate Li(+)inic(-)·0.25CS2. The hydrate, Li(+)inic(-)·2H2O which consists of discrete Li(inic)·H2O chains obtained by recrystallizing the salt from water, can also be obtained by hydration of the 6666 form. A dense 3D network with the formula, Li(inic) can be obtained in a reversible process by the removal of the water from the hydrated form and also by crystallization from a t-amyl alcohol solution.

The uptake of inhalation anesthetics by three topologically identical frameworks is described. The 3D network materials, which possess squarec hannels of different dimensions, are formed from the relativelys imple combination of Zn II centres and dianionic ligandst hat contain ap henolate and ac arboxylate group at opposite ends. All three framework materials are able to adsorb N 2 O, Xe and isoflurane. Whereas the framework with the widest channels is able to adsorb large quantities of the various guests from the gas phase, the frameworksw ith the narrower channels have superior binding enthalpies and exhibit higher levels of retention. The use of ligands in which substituents are bound to the aromatic rings of the bridging ligands offers great scope for tuning the adsorption properties of the framework materials.

When tiles decorated to lower their symmetry are joined together, they can form aperiodic and labyrinthine patterns. Such Truchet tilings offer an efficient mechanism of visual data storage related to that used in barcodes and QR codes. We show that the crystalline metal–organic framework [OZn 4 ][1,3-benzenedicarboxylate] 3 (TRUMOF-1) is an atomic-scale realization of a complex three-dimensional Truchet tiling. Its crystal structure consists of a periodically arranged assembly of identical zinc-containing clusters connected uniformly in a well-defined but disordered fashion to give a topologically aperiodic microporous network. We suggest that this unusual structure emerges as a consequence of geometric frustration in the chemical building units from which it is assembled.

An investigation of the adsorption properties of two structurally related, 3D coordination polymers of composition Zn(2-Mehba) and Zn(2,6-Me 2 hba) (2-Mehba = the dianion of 2-methyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,6-Me 2 hba = the dianion of 2,6-dimethyl-4hydroxybenzoic acid) is presented. A common feature of these structures are parallel channels that are able to accommodate appropriately sized guest molecules. The structures differ with respect to the steric congestion within the channels arising from methyl groups appended to the bridging ligands of the network. The host network, Zn(2-Mehba), is able to take up appreciable quantities of H 2 (77 K) and CO 2 and CH 4 (298 K) in a reversible manner. In regard to the adsorption of N 2 by Zn(2-Mehba), there appears to be an unusual temperature dependence for the uptake of the gas such that when the temperature is increased from 77 to 298 K the uptake of N 2 increases. The relatively narrow channels of Zn(2,6-Me 2 hba) are too small to allow the uptake of N 2 and CH 4 , but H 2 molecules can be adsorbed. A pronounced step at elevated pressures in CO 2 and N 2 O isotherms for Zn(2,6-Me 2 hba) is noted. Calculations indicate that rotation of phenolate rings leads to a change in the available intraframework space during CO 2 dosing.

The combination of 4-hydroxbenzoic acid with metal ions Li+, Mg2+ and Cu2+ leads to the formation of novel 2D and 3D networks.