Oxozinc carboxylates: a predesigned platform for modelling prototypical Zn-MOFs' reactivity toward water and donor solvents

Two unique adducts of an oxozinc carboxylate cluster with H2O and THF were isolated and structurally characterized, [Zn-4(mu(4)-O)(O2CR)(6)(H2O)(THF)]center dot 2(THF) and [Zn-4(mu(4)-O)(O2CR')(6)-(THF)(3)] (where R = benzoate and R' = 9-antracenecarboxylate anion). The study shows that the zinc centers of the Zn4O core can easily form unique coordination environments without breaking of the Zn-O-carboxylate bonds.