Design, synthesis, and X-ray crystal structure of a fullerene-linked metal-organic framework.

Given the unique structural and electronic properties of C60 , metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing C60 linkers are expected to exhibit interesting characteristics. A new hexakisfullerene derivative possessing two pairs of phenyl pyridine groups attached to two methano-carbon atoms located at the trans-1 positions was designed and synthesized. The four pyridyl nitrogen atoms define a perfectly planar rectangle. This new C60 derivative was used to assemble the first fullerene-linked two-dimensional MOF by coordination with Cd(2+) .