An anionic metal–organic framework based on infinite [In3(μ 3-OH)2] n inorganic chains synthesized in ionic liquid

Abstract: A 3D metal–organic framework, namely, {[EMIM][In3(μ 3-OH)2(1,2,4,5-BTC)2∙2H2O]} n (1) (1,2,4,5-BTC=1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate), was synthesized by using 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium bromide ([EMIM]Br) ionic liquid as solvent. The 7-coordinated pentagonal bipyramidal In(1) and octahedral In(2) atoms are connected by the μ 3-OH groups to form an infinite [In3(μ 3-OH)2] n inorganic chain along the a-axis, which are further extended by 1,2,4,5-BTC ligands to generate the 3D anionic microporous framework of 1. The [EMIM]+ cations occupy the 1D channels acting as template and charge-balancing species. Compound 1 shows strong blue luminescence and remarkable photocatalytic degradation of methylthionine chloride. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]