Acid-catalyzed synthesis of zinc imidazolates and related bimetallic metal-organic framework compounds

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Schubert, David M. | Visi, Mandana Z. | Knobler, Carolyn B.

Affiliations: U.S. Borax Inc., Rio Tinto Minerals, 8051 E. Maplewood Ave., Bldg 4, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, USA | McCullough Crystallographic Laboratory, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract: A convenient method involving acid catalysis is described for the preparation of zinc imidazolate metal organic framework compounds of the type ZnIm2 (Im = imidazolate,1,3-N2C3H3) and C-substituted derivatives, including 2-Me-, 2-Et- and benzimidazolates. This method also applies to synthesis of analogous copper and cobalt imidazolates, copper–zinc bimetallic imidazolates, (CuaZnbIm2(a+b)), heterometal-doped zinc imidazolates (MxZn(1–x)Im2), and multimetallic imidazolates. An unusual copper(1)-containing crystalline bimetallic imidazolate framework compound Cu2ZnIm4 was prepared in high yield and structurally characterized (P421c, a = b = 10.9623 (3), c = 6.3231 (4) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 759.86 (6) Å3, Z = 2). Crystal structure redeterminations were also made for tetragonal zinc imidazolate framework solid and monomeric zinc diimidazole diacetate.

Keywords: zinc, copper, imidazolate, bimetallic, MOF, X-ray crystal structure, Cu–Zn SOD

DOI: 10.1080/10241220902750928

Journal: Main Group Chemistry, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 311-322, 2008