Controllable assembly of a three-dimensional metal-organic supramolecular framework displaying hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions.

The complex poly[[aqua(μ2-phthalato-κ(2)O(1):O(2)){μ3-2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetato-κ(4)N(2),N(3):O:O'}{μ2-2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetato-κ(3)N(2),N(3):O}dizinc(II)] dihydrate], {[Zn2(C10H8N3O2)2(C8H4O4)(H2O)]·2H2O}n, has been prepared by solvothermal reaction of 2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetonitrile (PPAN) with zinc(II). Under hydrothermal conditions, PPAN is hydrolyzed to 2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate (PPAA(-)). The structure determination reveals that the complex is a one-dimensional double chain containing cationic [Zn4(PPAA)4](4+) structural units, which are further extended by bridging phthalate ligands. The one-dimensional chains are extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture via hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions.