Ionothermal synthesis and structural transformation targeted by ion exchange in metal-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate compounds

Ionothermal reactions of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate acid (H3BTC) and Ni(NO3)(2), Co(NO3)(2) and Cu(NO3)(2) gave two discrete 32-membered ring-like allomers, [M-2(HBTC)(2)(NH2CONH2)(2)(H2O)(4)]center dot 3H(2)O (M=Ni(1), Co(2)) and one layered [Cu-2(BTC)Cl(H2O)(4)] (3). The weak interactions in 1 can be deconstructed to some degree in ion exchange by exploring the factors of divalent and trivalent metal species, metal concentration and soaking time, which are demonstrated by PXRD and N-2 absorption. Cu2+ has the highest N-2 adsorbance when soaking with 1, and 1 can keep structure stable when Cu2+ below 0.16 mol L-1 and the soaking time within 24d. As Cu2+ beyond 0.16 mol L-1 and the soaking time beyond 24d, the structure of compound 1 starts to transform with the crystal morphology from clear pale green to opaque blue. Ionothermal reactions of compound 1 with different Cu2+ amounts obtained Ni2+-Cu2+ hetero complexes, whose PXRD patterns are similar to that of 3 and EDS indicates Cu2+% increases with Cu2+ additions and close to 100% as Cu2+ being 1.6 mmol. It suggests that 3 is a controlled product and Cu2+ can transform discrete compound 1 into 2D compound 3.