Ionothermal synthesis and crystal structure of a 2D metal organic framework: [emim]2[Cd2(btec)Br2] (emim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate)

A novel metal organic framework, namely, [emim]2[Cd2(btec)Br2] (1) (emim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate), was synthesized in an ionothermal reaction by using an ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide as solvent and template. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the structure features an anionic two-dimensional framework with novel coordination mode of btec ligand. The imidazolium cation emim+ of the ionic liquid acting as charge compensating agent intercalated into the image interlayers.