Facile isolation of a stable S6-symmetric methanol hexamer using the guest-free microporous metal-organic framework: zinc 5-tert-butyl isophthalate

The ordered structure of the guest-free microporous metal-organic framework zinc 5-tert-butyl isophthalate {Zn[(CH3)(3)CC6H3(CO2)(2)]} has been determined and shown to be easily loaded with methanol to form {Zn[(CH3)(3) CC6H3(CO2)(2)]} center dot CH3OH. The methanol forms a S-6-symmetric hexamer within the pores of the material that is uniquely defined by the void space and exerts a subtle structural effect on the framework structure of the host. The work demonstrates the use of this type of metal-organic framework as a matrix to isolate unique molecular clusters in a facile manner.