A novel 3D self-penetrating metal-organic framework with unprecedented 7-connectivity and entangled pattern

A novel (4,4,7)-connected 3D self-penetrating network with unprecedented 7-connectivity, has been constructed using 1,4-bis(2-methylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl) benzene and 3,3',4,4'-Benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid as co-ligands. It represents an unusual self-penetrating pattern with the entanglements of nonequivalent 4- and 6-membered shortest rings. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.