Tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate-Based Coordination Polymers:  Group II Network Solids, M[B(Im)4]2(H2O)2 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr)

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry Vol. 42; no. 9; pp. 3067 - 3073
• Main Authors: Hamilton, Barton H, Kelly, Kathryn A, Malasi, Wilhelm, Ziegler, Christopher J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 05.05.2003
• ISSN: 0020-1669; 1520-510X
• DOI: 10.1021/ic026244x

We are using the coordinating anion tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate to construct new metal−organic framework structures. In this report, we present three alkaline earth metal network solids incorporating this anion. All three compounds have the same formula, M[B(Im)4]2(H2O)2 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr), and the same coordination environment about the metal. However, the three compounds have different network structures with different degrees of hydrogen bonding; the Mg material forms a two-dimensional network and the Ca and Sr compounds form one-dimensional chains. In addition, we present the structure of the protonated anion B(HIm)(Im)3 as a model for the default structure of this anion and discuss how the conformation of tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate can affect the structure of network solids.