Direct evidence for single-crystal to single-crystal switching of degree of interpenetration in a metal-organic framework

Abstract

A known doubly interpenetrated metal-organic framework with the formula [Zn2(ndc)2(bpy)] possesses minimal porosity when activated. We show not only that the material converts to its triply interpenetrated analogue upon desolvation, but also that the transformation occurs in a single-crystal to single-crystal manner under ambient conditions. The mechanism proposed for the conversion is supported by computational methods and by analogy with the solid-state behavior of an analogous system. © 2014 American Chemical Society.