One ligand, two roles: novel pillar-layered metal–organic frameworks built with a 3D ligand and asymmetric inorganic nodes†

Abstract

Herein, we show two cases of pillar-layered MOFs which are built solely with one kind of three-dimensional (3D) ditopic ligand. The ligand in both structures functions not only as an intralayer linker in the layer but also as a “pillar” between adjacent layers. Such multi-functionality of the linker is accompanied by uncommon asymmetric 10-c metal hexamer or 7-c tetramer nodes, which have never been reported in previous 3D MOF structures.