A microporous metal organic framework (MOE), [Zn2L2(dabco)], was prepared using a long and rigid dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-bis(3-carboxylphenylethynyl)benzene (H2L), with some rotational flexibility, and an auxiliary bridging diamine linker, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco). The MOE, based on a Zn paddle-wheel secondary building unit, has [2 + 2] parallel and inclined interpenetrating 2D sheets interconnected by dabco to form a 3D network with 1D helical channels.