Single-Walled Metal-Organic Nanotube Built from a Simple Synthon

A conformationally flexible triazole-carboxylic acid ligand derived from an l-amino acid, namely, 4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl-acetic acid (alpha HGlytrz), has been exploited to synthesize a structurally diverse and functionally intriguing metal-organic framework with CuSiF6. The crystal structure reveals a novel single-walled metal-organic nanotube (SWMONT), namely, {[Cu-3(m(3)-OH)(H2O)(3)(Glytrz)(3)]center dot SiF6 center dot 8H(2)O center dot X}(infinity) (1), (where X=disordered lattice water molecules) having a pore size as large as zeolites. Compound 1 was synthesized as crystals, as powder, or as layers by precipitation/electrodeposition. Mercury intrusion porosimetry demonstrates the ability of this material to store metallic mercury, after a pressure treatment, contrary to previous literature examples.