A novel helical double-layered cobalt(II)-organic framework with tetranuclear [Co4(mu3-OH)2] clusters linked by an unsymmetrical pyridylbenzoate ligand.

A novel cobalt(II)-organic framework, [Co2(OH)(3,4-PBC)3]n (I), has been acquired by the reaction of CoO with an unsymmetrical pyridylbenzoate ligand, 3-pyrid-4-ylbenzoic acid (3,4-PBC). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that it is comprised of [CoII4(mu3-OH)2] clusters linked by the unsymmetrical ligand 3,4-PBC, forming a novel helical double-layered metal-organic architecture. A significant overall antiferromagnetic behavior has been observed for this compound.