Controlled synthesis of hierarchical zeolitic imidazolate framework-GIS (ZIF-GIS) architecturesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2ce26170g

We report the first example of the preparation of an ordered hierarchical zeolitic imidazolate framework nest architecture (denoted as ZIF-GIS). ZIF-GIS (Zn(eIm) 0.65 (dmbIm) 1.35 ) is a novel compound with GIS topology and has been synthesized by using complementary ligands of 2-ethylimidazole (eIm) and 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (dmbIm) in several solution systems. ZIF-GIS which exhibits hierarchical and nest architectures was obtained by a solvothermal approach based on the mixed solvent of aqueous ammonia (NH 3 ·H 2 O) and methanol (CH 3 OH). The apple-like hierarchical ZIF-GIS architectures with diameters of about 2-3 μm are built from numerous nanoplates with a thickness of about 20-40 nm. The results demonstrated that the formation of ordered hierarchical and nest architectures could be ascribed to the cooperation of NH 3 ·H 2 O and CH 3 OH. This synthesis strategy in a mixed solvent might be extended to other systems for the synthesis of hierarchical ZIF or MOF architectures. We report the preparation of an apple-like hierarchical and half hollow ZIF-GIS architecture which are built from numerous nanoplates.