Two novel magnesium-based metal–organic frameworks: Structure tuning from 2D to 3D by introducing the auxiliary ligand of acetate

Introducing an auxiliary ligand of acetate into the reaction system for synthesizing a 2D complex, a 3D metalorganic framework based on Mg2+ ions and the ligand 4,4,4-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoate was obtained, which is attributed to the involvement of acetate in coordination. [Display omitted] •Synthesizing two magnesium-based metal–organic frameworks under similar reaction conditions.•2D → 3D MOFs resulting from introducing an auxiliary ligand of acetate.•A linear Mg3O6 cluster in 2D layers evolving an infinite Mg(COO)2 chain in 3D frameworks. By the reaction of 4,4′,4″-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoate and magnesium nitrate in a mixture of DMA/H2O, a 2D coordination network was solvothermally synthesized. When an auxiliary ligand of acetate was introduced into the reaction system for the 2D complex, a 3D metal–organic framework was successfully obtained. The layered structure features a linear Mg3 cluster as node which is terminated by four coordinated DMA molecules. However, the DMA molecules were substituted by acetate with stronger coordination ability, resulting in an infinite Mg(COO)2 chain. Then a 3D architecture was finally formed. These two compounds also exhibit strong solid fluorescent emissions.