An Unusual Three-Dimensional Water Cluster in Metal−Organic Frameworks Based on ZnX₂ (X = ClO₄, BF₄) and an Azo-Functional Ligand

Abstract

A highly symmetrical three-dimensional (3D) water network containing cage-shaped tetradecameric water cluster units (H2O)14 is observed in the crystalline 3D metal−organic framework materials 1 and 2. This is a rare demonstration of a 3D water clathrate network trapped in a cavity of a 3D metal−organic framework, and there are no classical hydrogen bonding interactions within the skeleton of the metal−organic framework.