Three new compounds bearing different flexible side functional groups, viz. 2-acetamidoterephthalic acid (H₂L1), 2-propionamidoterephthalic acid (H₂L2) and 2-benzamidoterephthalic acid (H₂L3), were synthesized and their coordination reactions with zinc(II) were studied. X-ray crystallography showed the formation of novel metal organic frameworks with different dimensionalities, where the side functional groups of amidoterephthalic acid and/or auxiliary ligands were found to play significant roles. These frameworks [Zn₂(L1)₂(4,4′-bipyridine)₂(H₂O)(DMF)]_n (1), [Zn₄(L2)₃(OH)₂(DMF)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (2) and [Zn(L3)(H₂O)₂]_n·n/2(1,4-dioxane) (3) act as heterogeneous polymeric solid catalysts not only for the diastereoselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction of different aldehydes with nitroalkanes but also for transesterification reactions. These MOF-based heterogeneous catalysts can be recycled without losing their activity.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) or coordination polymers (CPs), a class of compounds constructed often by self-assembly of inorganic metal ions and organic ligands, have attracted growing interest on account of their diverse structures, permanent porosity and tunable properties, with a prospect for various applications. In some cases, the self-assembly of the building blocks produces different MOFs with the same molecular composition, i.e., supramolecular isomers. The design of supramolecular isomers in the area of MOFs is challenging and this highlight gathers recently published articles concerning the different types of supramolecular isomers, i.e., structural, conformational, catenane and optical, in this area. The syntheses and structures of the isomers and their comparison are presented, as well as the role of various parameters, such as temperature, solvent, concentration, crystallization method, additive and template, in the formation of the different supramolecular isomers, by analyzing selected examples.