Open-framework copper adeninate compounds with three-dimensional microchannels tailored by aliphatic monocarboxylic acids.

A series of isostructural copper(II) coordination polymers containing the nucleobase adenine and different monocarboxylic acids as bridging ligands, [Cu(2)(μ(3)-ade)(2)(μ(2)-OOC(CH(2))(n)CH(3))(2)]·xH(2)O (n from 0 to 5), have been prepared. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of acetate (n = 0) and butanoate (n = 2) compounds shows a covalent three-dimensional network in which the copper(II) centers are bridged by μ-N3,N7,N9-adeninato and μ-O,O'-carboxylato ligands, with crystallization water molecules trapped in the pores, which are decorated by the Watson-Crick faces of the adenine. The tunable permanent porosity of guest-free compounds was confirmed by gas adsorption measurements.