Capturing in situ generated NH=CH-N=NH molecule via the templating synthesis of a 4-connected open Cd(II) framework

An unprecedented in situ generated NH=CH-N=NH molecule successfully templated the formation of a photoluminescent 4-connected open Cd(II) framework with the umc topology, which first demonstrated the ring-opening reaction from the N, S-containing ligand. The results provide a new templating synthetic route to understand the mechanism of hydro(solvo)thermal in situ ligand synthesis via capturing small in situ generated molecular fragments.