Porous metal-organic coordination networks (MOCNs) {A(2)[M(3)(btec)(2)(H(2)O)(4)]}(n) (1, A=K, M=Co; 2, A=K, M=Ni; 3, A=Cs, M=Co; and 4, A=Cs, M=Ni; btec=benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate) with nearly identical structural features were hydrothermally prepared. These compounds adopt (4,8)-connected scu nets but exhibit subtle differences in the topology of the final three-dimensional architectures. Compound 1 has a regular net with the largest solvent void (21.1 %), while the nets of the other three (2-4) are slightly distorted from a regular shape and have malformed pores with smaller solvent voids (5.4-11.4 %). Likely, the different supramolecular environments among 1-4 subtly depend on the eight-connected binodal cubical vertices/four-connected square-planar connectivity between the trimetallic clusters and the btec ligands. Cobalt species 3 dissolved in an aqueous solution of KCl, and then reorganized to form 1 at ambient temperature. Interestingly, under similar conditions, 1 dissolved and then was regenerated to give the same structure. Nickel species 2 and 4 also underwent a dissolution/reorganization process in an aqueous solution of KCl to afford new metal-carboxylate product {K(2)[Ni(3)(btec)(2)(H(2)O)(4)]}(n) (2'). This compound forms a (4,8)-connected scu net with regular pores, which is isostructural and isomorphous with 1, and is a supramolecular isomer of 2. Similarly, in an aqueous solution of CsCl, 1-4 were converted to 1D zigzag chain structures {Cs(2)[M(btec)(H(2)O)(4)]}(n) (5, M=Co; 6, M=Ni) that enlarged to hydrogen-bonded 3D porous supramolecular networks. Remarkable, reversible alkali metal cation induced structural transformations between 1 and 5 occurred via dissolution/reorganization processes. Thermogravimetric analyses showed that these metal-carboxylate species have high thermal stability (T>300 degrees C).

The alkali-metal-cation-induced structural transformation of porous coordination polymers (CPs), {A(2)[M(3)(btec)(2)(H(2)O)(4)]}(n) (1, A = K, M = Co; 2, A = K, M = Ni; 3, A = Cs, M = Co; and 4, A = Cs, M = Ni; btec = benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate), occurred via a unique dissolution/reorganization process in the presence of an alkali chloride (LiCl, NaCl) in water. Treatment of 1 or 2 in an aqueous solution of LiCl resulted in the formation of new metal-carboxylate species [Co(2)(btec)(H(2)O)(10)] x H(2)O (5 x H(2)O) and {Li(2)[Ni(3)(btec)(2)(H(2)O)(10)] x 3.5 H(2)O}(n) (6 x 3.5 H(2)O), respectively. When NaCl was used in place of LiCl under similar reaction conditions, similar dissolution/reorganization processes were observed. The cobalt species 1 and 3 were converted into the metal-carboxylate product [Na(2)Co(btec)(H(2)O)(8)](n) (7), whereas the nickel-carboxylate frameworks 2 and 4 were transformed into {[Na(4)Ni(2)(btec)(2)(H(2)O)(18)] x 3 H(2)O}(n) (8 x 3 H(2)O). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that 5 x H(2)O is a discrete molecule, which extends to a hydrogen-bonded 3D porous supramolecular network including tetrameric water aggregates. Compound 6 x 3.5 H(2)O adopts a 3D polymeric structure with a novel (2,4,4)-connected net on the basis of a 4-connecting organic node of a btec ligand, a square-planar 4-connecting metallic trans-Ni(O(2)C)(4)(H(2)O)(2) node, and a 2-connecting octahedral metallic trans-Ni(O(2)C)(2)(H(2)O)(4) hinge. Compound 7 possesses a 3D polymeric structure comprised of two types of intercrossed (4,4)-layers, a [Co(II)(btec)]-based layer and a [Na(I)(btec)]-based layer, in a nearly perpendicular orientation (ca. 87 degrees). Compound 8 x 3 H(2)O adopted a 2D sheet network by utilizing heterometallic trinuclear clusters of Na(2)Ni(O(2)C)(5)(H(2)O)(9) as secondary building units. Each sheet is hydrogen-bonded to neighboring units, giving a 3D supramolecular network. It is noteworthy that the dissolution/reorganization process demonstrates the cleavage and reformation of metal-carboxylate bonds, leading to a destruction/construction structural transformation of CPs.

Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 298 K; mean (C-C) = 0.004 Å; Hatom completeness 72%; disorder in solvent or counterion; R factor = 0.038; wR factor = 0.103; data-to-parameter ratio = 14.4.The asymmetric unit of the title coordination polymer, {[Co 2 (C 10 H 2 O 8 )(H 2 O) 4 ]Á2H 2 O} n , contains two crystallographically distinct Co II cations, located on inversion centers. Each Co II cation exists in an octahedral coordination environment formed by two water molecules and four carboxylate groups. The deprotonated benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid ligand, with the center of the benzene ring located on an inversion center, bridges Co II cations to form a (3,4)-connected threedimensional network that is topologically related to Pt 3 O 4 (waserite). O-HÁ Á ÁO hydrogen bonding between coordinated water molecules and carboxylate groups helps to stabilize the crystal structure. One water molecules is disordered over two positions, with almost equal occupancies.