Cu12-cluster-based metal-organic framework as a metastable intermediate in the formation of a layered copper phosphonate.

ABSTRACT

The solvothermal reaction of CuSO4·5H2O and a chiral R-pempH2 ligand (molar ratio 6 1) first forms the metastable intermediate [Cu24(OH)20(R-pempH)8(SO4)10(H2O)10.5]·35H2O (1), followed by the formation of the stable phase [Cu2(OH)(R-pempH)(SO4)(H2O)]·H2O (2). Compound 1 displays a novel 3D open-framework structure containing Cu12 cluster nodes and sulfate links, which can be converted to the layered compound 2. We also investigated the photothermal effects of both compounds.