A novel 3D coordination polymer, ∞3[{Cu3(felden)}4(btec)3]·17H2O, has been assembled using cationic trigonal nodes, [CuII3(felden)]3+, generated by a tricompartmental ligand, H3felden, which results from the Schiff condensation reaction between 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine. The tetraanion of the 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracaboxylic acid (H4btec) was employed as a spacer. The structure of 1 shows large icosahedral cavities and channels and the magnetic interaction between the copper(II) ions within the triangles is weak and antiferromagnetic.
