Zhien Lin

Organization of tetrahedral chalcogenide clusters using a tetrahedral quadridentate linker.

Using predesigned tetrahedral quadridentate linker tetrakis(4-pyridyloxymethylene)methane (TPOM) as the organic linker, tetrahedral P1 clusters ([Cd8S(SPh)16](2-)) and C1 clusters ([Cd17S4(SPh)28](2-)) have been assembled into beltlike (MCOF-9) or chainlike (MCOF-10) configurations, as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The onset of optical absorptions of MCOF-9 and MCOF-10 is around 400 and 420 nm, respectively. The thermal analysis shows that both materials are stable up to 250 degrees C.

A 3,4-connected beryllium phosphite framework containing 24-ring channels with a very low density.

A new three-dimensional open-framework beryllium phosphite with honeycomb-like channels has been prepared under solvothermal conditions. The alternation of a 24-ring window and a 30-ring window along its extra-large channel is unprecedented in open-framework materials. The compound has a very low density of 1.369 g cm(-3) by integrating an extra-large-pore, interrupted 3,4-connected framework and lightweight beryllium metal in its crystalline structure.

(C2H8N)2[Be3(HPO3)4]: a low-density beryllium phosphite with large 16-membered rings and helical channels

A beryllium-containing open framework, which is analogous to that found in the structure of (C2H8N)2[M3(HPO3)4] (M = Zn, Co), has a low density and represents the first example of a Be containing inorganic solid with 16-membered rings.

New semiconducting coordination polymers from zinc sulfide clusters and chains.

Two new semiconducting zinc coordination polymers, Zn(8)S(SPh)(14)(bpy) (1) and Zn(2)(SPh)(4)(bpy) (2), have been synthesized by a dual-ligand approach. Single-crystal structural analyses indicate that compound 1 has a helical-chain structure with P1 clusters bridging with bipyridyl (bpy) ligands and compound 2 possesses a layered structure with zinc sulfide chains cross-linked with bpy ligands. The diffuse-reflectance spectra reveal that the band gaps of the two compounds are 2.41 eV for 1 and 2.56 eV for 2.

Solvent-free synthesis of crystalline metal phosphate oxalates with a (4,6)-connected fsh topology.

Two new organically templated manganese phosphate oxalates were synthesized under solvent-free conditions. They have different three-dimensional structures with a (4,6)-connected fsh topology. It is interesting that the amine molecules can reverse the structure-building roles of the metal phosphate skeleton and metal oxalate substructure for formation of their fsh-type frameworks.

Crystalline beryllium carboxylate frameworks with rutile-type and cubic-C3N4 topologies

Two new crystalline beryllium carboxylate frameworks, formulated as (C2NH8)2[Be4(OH)4(BTC)2] (BCF-1) and (C2NH8)6[Be3(BTC)4] (BCF-2), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions, where BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate. Topological analyses reveal that BCF-1 has a 3,6-connected rutile topology and BCF-2 exhibits a 3,4-connected cubic-C3N4 topology.

Solvent-free synthesis of new open-framework oxalate structures

An oxalic acid flux method has been developed to prepare new open-framework oxalate-based structures with hcb, 103, and dia topologies. It is also interesting that a new bifunctional organic ligand can be obtained from oxalate ligand and amine under the solvent-free conditions.

Crystalline beryllium carboxylate frameworks containing inorganic chains of BeO4 tetrahedra

Two crystalline beryllium carboxylates, Be2(OH)2(bdc) (BCF-3) and Be4(OH)4(btec) (BCF-4), have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. BCF-3 has a novel zeolitic topology containing 3-ring and 14-ring windows. BCF-4 has a porous framework with a CO2 uptake capacity of 48.2 cm3 g−1 (298 K, 760 Torr).

Solvent-free synthesis of new manganese phosphate–oxalate hybrid solids

Three manganese phosphate–oxalate hybrid solids, Mn(2,2′-bpy)(H2PO4)(C2O4)0.5 (1), Mn(phen)(H2PO4)(C2O4)0.5 (2), and (4,4′-H2bpy)0.5·Mn(H2PO4)(C2O4) (3), have been prepared under solvent-free conditions. These compounds have chain-like or layered structures exhibiting photoluminescence and antiferromagnetic behavior.

Supramolecular Templating Approach for the Solvent-Free Synthesis of Open-Framework Metal Oxalates

A series of open-framework metal oxalates (metal = Zn, Co, Mn, Bi, In) were prepared under solvent-free conditions by a supramolecular templating approach. These compounds have cationic, anionic, and neutral frameworks with pore apertures ranging from small 8-membered rings (8 MRs) to extra-large 16 and 20 MRs. The zinc oxalate exhibits a proton conductivity of 2.6 × 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 60 °C under 98% relative humidity.