Herein, we synthesized three novel thioether-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through a facile diffusion method or a solvothermal strategy, i.e. [(ZnCl2)3(L1)2·χ(solvent)]n (1), [(Cu2I3O2)4(CH4N0.5)4(L1)4(DMA)4·3(H2O)·χ(solvent)]n (2) and [(CuBr2)2(L2)2 CH3CN·χ(solvent)]n (3), where L1 = 1,3,5-tris((pyridin-4-ylthio)methyl)benzene and L2 = 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-tris((pyridin-4-ylthio)methyl)benzene.  The obtained thioether-based MOFs were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis.  Besides, these MOFs can be recycled and can selectively remove Hg2+ from water in the presence of other metal ions. 
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