A manganese metal-organic framework which remains crystalline on desolvation, and which gives insight into the rotational freedom of framework aromatic groups

A new metal-organic framework Mn(INA)(2) (INA = isonicotinate, 4-NC5H4CO2-) was synthesised and found by X-ray crystallography to have pyridine rings arranged in an ordered fashion, leaving cavities sufficiently large for ethanol inclusion. This contrasts with the previously reported iron analogue, which was characterised as disordered and without included guests. The Mn compound may be desolvated whilst remaining crystalline. The results suggest that the rotational freedom of aromatic groups of metal-organic frameworks should be taken into consideration in predicting their available volumes and inclusion characteristics. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.