Reversible guest exchange and ferrimagnetism (T-C-60.5 K) in a porous cobalt(II)-hydroxide layer structure pillared with trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate

The synthesis, characterization, and reversible guest-exchange chemistry of a new porous magnetic material that orders ferrimagnetically at 60.5 K are described. The material, Co-5(OH)(8)(chdc).4H(2)O (chdc = trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate), contains tetrahedral-octahedral-tetrahedral Co(II)-hydroxide layers of composition Co-3((oct))-Co-(tet) 2(OH)8 that are linked together by bis(unidentate) chdc pillars. Noncoordinated water molecules occupy 1-D channels situated between the chdc pillars. The material remains monocrystalline during dehydration from Co-5-(OH)(8)(chdc)-4H(2)O (CDCC.4H(2)O) to Co-5(OH)(8)(chdc) (CDCC) via an intermediate Co-5(OH)(8)(chdc)-2H(2)O (CDCC-2H(2)O) upon heating or evacuation.