Coexistence of cyclic (CH3OH)2(H2O)8 heterodecamer and acyclic water trimer in the channels of silver-azelate framework

► One Ag(I) complex built from azelaic acid and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane was ultrasonically synthesized and characterized. ► Discrete (CH3OH)2(H2O)8 heterodecameric and acyclic water trimeric clusters were accommodated in the channels. ► The complex exhibits strong photoluminescence maximized at 500nm upon 350nm excitation. ► CIE chromaticity ordinate of the emission is close to that of edge of green component. Flexible azelaic acid (H2aze) and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane) (bpp) react ultrasonically with silver(I) oxide, generating a new metal–organic framework [Ag2(bpp)2(aze)·7H2O·CH3OH]n (1) that forms a 3D supramolecular structure through H-bonding interactions between solvent molecules and carboxylate O atoms with void spaces. Two kinds of solvent clusters, discrete cyclic (CH3OH)2(H2O)8 heterodecameric and acyclic water trimeric clusters occupy the channels in the structure. Furthermore, 1 exhibits strong photoluminescence maximized at 500nm upon 350nm excitation at room temperature, of which CIE chromaticity ordinate (x=0.28, y=0.44) is close to that of edge of green component.