12] Styrenes lac were prepared according to J. A. Donnelly, J. G. Hoey. S. O'Brien.

An astonishing amount of methane is reversibly adsorbed in pores of [{CuSiF6(4,4′‐bipyridine)2}n], which exists as a stable 3D microporous network (see picture). The approximate channel sizes of this material is 8×8 Å2 along its c axis and 6×2 Å2 along the a and b axes. At 36 atm, the density of methane adsorbed in micropore volume is 0.21 g mL−1, which is superior to that of any reported zeolites.

Syntheses of new porous frameworks with specific pore size and type are of considerable interest for the appearance of zeolite-like functionalities. It is useful to take advantage of metal complex-assembled compounds because of designable frameworks, high microporosity, and flexible frameworks based on a variety of coordination geometries of metal centers and multifunctionality of bridging organic parts. Many recent reports show that the synthesis procedures are developing from serendipitious to rational level. Therefore, the micropore chemistry of metal complex-based assemblages is directed toward not only new frameworks but also functionalities such as gas and small molecule adsorption, ion exchange, heterogeneous catalysis, photo-chemical and -physical properties. For chemical and physical functionalities robustness of a framework is required even in the absence of guest molecules in the cavity. The stability is largely dependent on the structural dimensionality of the assemblages. A wide variety of structures of metal complex-based assemblages are listed and recent findings in this functional chemistry are described.

A combination of framework-builder (Cu(II) ion and 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy) ligand) and framework-regulator (AF(6) type anions; A = Si, Ge, and P) provides a series of novel porous coordination polymers. The highly porous coordination polymers ([Cu(AF(6))(4,4'-bpy)(2)].8H(2)O)(n)(A = Si (1a.8H(2)O), Ge (2a.8H(2)O)) afford robust 3-dimensional (3-D), microporous networks (3-D Regular Grid) by using AF(6)(2-) anions. The channel size of these complexes is ca. 8 x 8 A(2) along the c-axis and 6 x 2 A(2) along the a- or b-axes. When compounds 1a.8H(2)O or 2a.8H(2)O were immersed in water, a conversion of 3-D networks (1a.8H(2)O or 2a.8H(2)O) to interpenetrated networks ([Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].AF(6))(n)(A = Si (1b) and Ge (2b)) (2-D Interpenetration) took place. This 2-D interpenetrated network 1b shows unique dynamic anion-exchange properties, which accompany drastic structural conversions. When a PF(6)(-) monoanion instead of AF(6)(2)(-) dianions was used as the framework-regulator with another co-counteranion (coexistent anions), porous coordination polymers with various types of frameworks, ([Cu(2)(4,4'-bpy)(5)(H(2)O)(4)].anions.2H(2)O.4EtOH)(n)(anions = 4PF(6)(-) (3.2H(2)O.4EtOH), 2PF(6)(-) + 2ClO(4)(-) (4.2H(2)O.4EtOH)) (2-D Double-Layer), ([Cu(2)(PF(6))(NO(3))(4,4'-bpy)(4)].2PF(6).2H(2)O)(n)(5.2PF(6).2H(2)O) (3-D Undulated Grid), ([Cu(PF(6))(4,4'-bpy)(2)(MeCN)].PF(6).2MeCN)(n)(6.2MeCN) (2-D Grid), and ([Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].PF(6).BF(4))(n) (7) (2-D Grid), were obtained, where the three modes of PF(6)(-) anions are observed. 5.2PF(6).2H(2)O has rare PF(6)(-) bridges. The PF(6)(-) and NO(3)(-) monoanions alternately link to the Cu(II) centers in the undulated 2-D sheets of [Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)](n)() to form a 3-D porous network. The free PF(6)(-) anions are included in the channels. 6.2MeCN affords both free and terminal-bridged PF(6)(-) anions. 3.2H(2)O.4EtOH, 4.2H(2)O.4EtOH, and 7 bear free PF(6)(-) anions. All of the anions in 3.2H(2)O.4EtOH and 4.2H(2)O.4EtOH are freely located in the channels constructed from a host network. Interestingly, these Cu(II) frameworks are rationally controlled by counteranions and selectively converted to other frameworks.