Herein we describe the topological influence of zigzag ligands in the assembly of Zr(IV) metal -organic frameworks (MOFs). Through a transversal design strategy using reticular chemistry, we were able to synthesize a family of isoreticular Zr(IV)-based MOFs exhibiting the bcu-rather than the fcu-topology. Our findings underscore the value of the transversal parameter in organic ligands for dictating MOF architectures.