An unprecedented “strongly” self-catenated MOF containing inclined catenated honeycomb-like units

A 3D MOF {[Co(bibp)(1,4-chdc)]·2H₂O}_n (1) (bibp = 4,4′-bis(1-imidazolyl)biphenyl, 1,4-H₂chdc = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid) was hydrothermally synthesized. This framework buries an unprecedented self-catenated net with the highest topological density among the 4-coordinated nets. The photo-catalytic and electrochemical activities were investigated.