A novel three-dimensional Zn(II) coordination polymer with 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene and cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylate ligands.

In the Zn(II) compound poly[[bis(μ3-cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylato)bis[μ3-1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene]trizinc(II)] hexahydrate], {[Zn3(C18H18N6)2(C9H9O6)2]·6H2O}n, based on mixed 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene and cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylate ligands, there are two types of crystallographically independent Zn(II) centres, one in a general position and one on a crystallographic twofold axis. They have similar fourfold distorted tetrahedral coordination geometries, ligated by two monodentate carboxylate groups from two cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylate ligands and by two N atoms from two 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene ligands. The cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylate anions link the Zn(II) cations to generate a two-dimensional layered metal-organic structure running parallel to the (201) plane. Adjacent layers are further connected by tripodal 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene ligands, resulting in a three-dimensional network. The solvent water molecules are linked to the cyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylate ligands via water-carboxylate O-H···O hydrogen bonds.