The first 3-fold interpenetrating framework containing both azobenzene-3,3′-dicarboxylicate and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene

The reactions of Co II or Ni II acetate with azobenzene-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid (3,3′-H2AZDB) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) afforded two isomorphic compounds [M 2(3,3′-AZDB)2(bpe)2]n (M=Co (1) and Ni (2)) under hydrothermal conditions. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 have similar 3-D 3-fold interpenetrating structures in which each 3-D net displayed a 6-connected pcu network consisting of M 2+-AZDB2− layers and bpe pillars. Variable-temperature magnetic-susceptibility measurements revealed the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co(II) atoms in 1.