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In this work, four different bis(imidazole) ligands, namely 1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene (bib), 4,4′-bis(1-imidazolyl)biphenyl (bibp), 1,4-bis (imidazol-1-ylmethylene)benzene) (bimb) and 4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether (bidpe), were used as the second ligand to give rise to the structural diversity of a coordination polymer based on the cobalt-miipa (H2miipa = 5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl) isophthalic acid) system. In compound 1, miipa2− coordinates to Co(II) atoms to form the Co-miipa 3D network. On introducing linear bis(imidazole) ligands with different lengths and rigidities into the Co(II)-miipa system, the obtained compounds 2–4 form similar three-fold interpenetrating 3D MOFs constructed from the Co(II)-miipa layers pillared by bis(imidazole) ligands. While introducing the V-shaped half-flexible bis(imidazole) ligands, the obtained compound 5 exhibits a 2D double-layered network built from the Co(II)-miipa 1D quadrangular prism linked by the bis(imidazole) ligand. Each 2D double layer is further interlocked with two neighboring ones to produce an interesting 3D framework. Significantly, CoNC-5 derived from a mixture of dicyandiamide (DCD) and compound 5 with a low void volume shows a superior electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction. The Eonset (0.974 V) and E1/2 (0.830 V) of CoNC-5 in O2-saturated 0.1 M KOH at 1600 rpm and 5 mV s−1 are superior to those of Pt/C (0.968 and 0.799 V). The JL value of CoNC-5 (JL = 5.29 mA cm−2) is higher than that of Pt/C (5.09 mA cm−2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three 3D polymeric complexes containing polynuclear Co(II) units, [Co3(bpda)3(bib)2]·H2O (1), [Co5(OH)2(H2O)2(bpda)4(bib)2]·2H2O (2), and [Co2(OH)(bib)(bpt)]·H2O (3) (H2bpda = biphenyl-2,4′-dicarboxylic acid, H3bpt = biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylic acid, bib = 1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene), have been prepared by urothermal synthesis. Complex 1 exhibits an unusual (4,6)-connected 3D network based on binuclear Co(II) clusters and Co2+ centers bridged by bpda2− and bib ligands. Complex 2, containing a novel pentanuclear Co(II) cluster, features a porous 3D MOF with a regular nanosized tunnel. Complex 3 contains an interesting tetranuclear Co(II) cluster and displays an amazing 3D porous MOF built from double-layered 2D [Co2(μ3-OH)(bpt)3]n networks pillared by two rows of bib spacers. In the title complexes, polycarboxylate acids serve to construct and stabilize the polynuclear Co(II) clusters, while bis(imidazole)s help to expand the dimensionality of MOFs. Complexes 2 and 3 show antiferromagnetic properties. Compound 3 with high surface area, high yield, high purity, and high chemical stability was used as a precursor to fabricate Co,N-codoped porous carbon materials by simple carbonization under an Ar atmosphere. The catalytic properties of the Co,N-codoped porous carbon material derived from complex 3 (denoted as CoNC-3) as an ORR electrocatalyst were studied. CoNC-3 displays superior electrocatalytic performances for the ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]