Three Series of Sulfo‐Functionalized Mixed‐Linker CAU‐10 Analogues: Sorption Properties,Proton Conductivity,and Catalytic Activity

Ten mixed‐linker metal–organic frameworks [Al(OH)(m‐BDC‐X)_1?y(m‐BDC‐SO₃H)_y] (H₂BDC=1,3‐benzenedicarboxylic acid; X=H, NO₂, OH) exhibiting the CAU‐10‐type structure were synthesized. The compounds can be grouped into three series according to the combination of ligands employed. The three series of compounds were obtained by employing different ratios of m‐H₂BDC‐X and m‐H₂BDC‐SO₃Li. The resulting compounds, which are denoted CAU‐10‐H/Sx, ‐N/Sx and ‐O/Sx, show exceptionally high thermal stability for sulfonated materials of up to 350 °C. Detailed characterization with special focus on polarity and acidity was performed, and the impact of the additional SO₃H groups is clearly demonstrated by changes in the sorption affinities/capacities towards several gases and water vapor. In addition, selected samples were evaluated for proton conductivity and as catalysts for the gas‐phase dehydration of ethanol to ethylene. While only very low proton conductivities were observed, a pronounced increase in catalytic activity was achieved. Although reactions were performed at temperatures of 250 and 300 °C for more than 40 h, no desulfonation and no loss of crystallinity were observed, and stable ethanol conversion resulted. This demonstrates the high stability of this material.     

Effective removal of 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol over hexagonal metal–organic framework NH2‐MIL‐88B(Fe)

A nanostructured organic–inorganic framework, hexagonal NH₂‐MIL‐88B, has been prepared through a facile one‐pot reflux reaction and then it was characterized using various techniques. The as‐prepared sample with high specific surface area (414 m² g^?1) showed excellent adsorption for 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (TNP) in the liquid phase. Detailed studies of the adsorption kinetics, adsorption mechanism, adsorption isotherm, activation energy and various thermodynamic parameters were conducted. The adsorption mechanism of NH₂‐MIL‐88B for TNP may be ascribed to hydrogen bond interaction, and the complexation between ─OH in TNP and unsaturated Fe(III) on the surface of NH₂‐MIL‐88B. The maximum adsorption capacity of NH₂‐MIL‐88B for TNP based on the Langmuir isotherm was 163.66 mg g^?1. The as‐prepared NH₂‐MIL‐88B adsorbent seems to be a promising material in practice for TNP removal from aqueous solution.     

Evidence of Photoinduced Charge Separation in the Metal–Organic Framework MIL‐125(Ti)‐NH2

Herein, we describe the photochemical behavior of the porous metal–organic framework MIL‐125(Ti)‐NH₂, built up from cyclic Ti₈O₈(OH)₄ oxoclusters and 2‐aminoterephthalate ligands. While MIL‐125(Ti)‐NH₂ does not emit upon excitation at 420 nm, laser flash photolyses of dry samples (diffuse reflectance) or aqueous suspensions (transmission) of the solid have allowed detecting a transient characterized by a continuous absorption from 390 to 820 nm decaying in the sub‐millisecond timescale, which is quenched by oxygen. This transient has been attributed to the charge‐separation state. Firm evidence for this assignment was obtained by lamp irradiation of aqueous suspensions of MIL‐125(Ti)‐NH₂ in the presence of electron‐donor (N,N,N′N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine) or electron‐acceptor (methylviologen) probe molecules, which has allowed the visual detection of the corresponding radical ions, in agreement with the occurrence of photoinduced charge separation in MIL‐125(Ti)‐NH₂.     

Metal–organic framework of amine‐MIL‐53(Al) as active and reusable liquid‐phase reaction inductor for multicomponent condensation of Ugi‐type reactions

Metal–organic framework of NH₂‐MIL‐53(Al), with coordinative unsaturated aluminium sites, has been shown to be active in the Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé multicomponent coupling reaction based on Ugi‐type amine and aldehyde condensation over isocyanide and then a cyclization process. Interestingly this reaction occurred under solvent‐free conditions with high yield, in which the NH₂‐MIL‐53(Al) could be recovered and reused for five reaction cycles, giving a total turnover number of 455.     

The synthesis of metal–organic framework Al‐MIL‐53‐derived Brønsted acid catalyst and its application in the Mannich reaction

A metal–organic framework Al‐MIL‐53‐NH₂‐derived Brønsted acid catalyst (Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H) has been synthesized employing a post‐synthetic modification strategy under mild conditions. The Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H catalyst was successfully utilized in the nitro‐Mannich reaction taking advantage of its strong Brønsted acidity. Good to excellent yields of Mannich adducts were achieved for a variety of acylimine substrates in the presence of 0.1 mol% Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H. Furthermore, the Al‐MIL‐53‐RSO₃H catalyst can be recycled five times without decreasing the yield and selectivity of Mannich adducts.     

MIL‐53(Al) as a Versatile Platform for Ionic‐Liquid/MOF Composites to Enhance CO2 Selectivity over CH4 and N2

Five different imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) were incorporated into a metal–organic framework (MOF), MIL‐53(Al), to investigate the effect of IL incorporation on the CO₂ separation performance of MIL‐53(Al). CO₂, CH₄, and N₂ adsorption isotherms of the IL/MIL‐53(Al) composites and pristine MIL‐53(Al) were measured to evaluate the effect of the ILs on the CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂ selectivities of the MOF. Of the composite materials that were tested, [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL‐53(Al) exhibited the largest increase in CO₂/CH₄ selectivity, 2.8‐times higher than that of pristine MIL‐53(Al), whilst [BMIM][MeSO₄]/MIL‐53(Al) exhibited the largest increase in CO₂/N₂ selectivity, 3.3‐times higher than that of pristine MIL‐53(Al). A comparison of the CO₂ separation potentials of the IL/MOF composites showed that the [BMIM][BF₄]‐ and [BMIM][PF₆]‐incorporated MIL‐53(Al) composites both showed enhanced CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ selectivities at pressures of 1–5 bar compared to composites of CuBTC and ZIF‐8 with the same ILs. These results demonstrate that MIL‐53(Al) is a versatile platform for IL/MOF composites and could help to guide the rational design of new composites for target gas‐separation applications.     

The Metal–Organic Framework MIL‐53(Al) Constructed from Multiple Metal Sources: Alumina,Aluminum Hydroxide,and Boehmite

Three aluminum compounds, namely alumina, aluminum hydroxide, and boehmite, are probed as the metal sources for the hydrothermal synthesis of a typical metal–organic framework MIL‐53(Al). The process exhibits enhanced synthetic efficiency without the generation of strongly acidic byproducts. The time‐course monitoring of conversion from different aluminum sources into MIL‐53(Al) is achieved by multiple characterization that reveals a similar but differentiated crystallinity, porosity, and morphology relative to typical MIL‐53(Al) prepared from water‐soluble aluminum salts. Moreover, the prepared MIL‐53(Al) constructed with the three insoluble aluminum sources exhibit an improved thermal stability of up to nearly 600 °C and enhanced yields. Alumina and boehmite are more preferable than aluminum hydroxide in terms of product porosity, yield, and reaction time. The adsorption performances of a typical environmental endocrine disruptor, dimethyl phthalate, on the prepared MIL‐53(Al) samples are also investigated. The improved structural stability of MIL‐53(Al) prepared from these alternative aluminum sources enables double‐enhanced adsorption performance (up to 206 mg g^?1) relative to the conventionally obtained MIL‐53(Al).     

Simple magnetization of Fe3O4/MIL‐53(Al)‐NH2 for a rapid vortex‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction of phenol residues in water samples

The present work describes a simple route to magnetize MIL‐53(Al)‐NH₂ sorbent for rapid extraction of phenol residues from environmental samples. To extend the applications and performances of the metal‐organic frameworks in the field of adsorption materials, we combined the properties of metal‐organic frameworks and magnetite to decrease the extraction time and simplify the extraction process as well. In this study, a simple and quick vortex‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction method for the extraction of ten United States Environmental Protection Agency's priority phenols from water samples prior to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection was proposed. The developed method exhibits a rapid enrichment of the target analytes within 10 s for extraction and 10 s for desorption. Low detection limits of 1.8‐41.7 µg/L and quantitation limits of 6.0‐139.0 µg/L with the relative standard deviations for intra‐ and interday analyses less than 12% were achieved. Satisfactory recoveries in the range of 80‐111% with the relative standard deviations less than 11% demonstrated that Fe₃O₄/MIL‐53(Al)‐NH₂ is promising sorbent in the field of magnetic solid‐phase extraction for environmental samples.     

Bis(μ‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato)bis{aqua[2‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline]cadmium(II)} and its zinc(II) analogue

In the isomorphous title compounds, [Cd₂(C₈H₄O₄)₂(C₁₉H₁₀ClFN₄)₂(H₂O)₂] and [Zn₂(C₈H₄O₄)₂(C₁₉H₁₀ClFN₄)₂(H₂O)₂], the Cd^II centre is seven‐coordinated by two N atoms from one [2‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (L) ligand, one water O atom and four carboxylate O atoms from two different benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (1,2‐bdc) ligands in a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination, while the Zn^II centre is six‐coordinated by two N atoms from one L ligand, one water O atom and three carboxylate O atoms from two different 1,2‐bdc ligands in a distorted octahedral coordination. Each pair of adjacent metal centres is bridged by two 1,2‐bdc ligands to form a dimeric structure. In the dimer, each L ligand coordinates one metal centre. The dimer is centrosymmetric, with a crystallographic inversion centre midway between the two metal centres. The aromatic interactions lead the dimers to form a two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. Finally, O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds reinforce the two‐dimensional structures of the two compounds.     

Bisphosphoric modified amino functional [xFe3O4–2xAl(OH)3]/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite with superparamagnetism and flame retardancy

Based on the strong adsorption of the diphosphate group to Fe and Al ions, first, the Fe₃O₄ and Al (OH)₃ nanoparticles were modified by alendronate sodium (ALN), and organic phosphorus coated nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄‐ALN and Al (OH)₃‐ALN) with the active group ─NH₂ were prepared. Novel [xFe₃O₄–2xAl(OH)₃]/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite with superparamagnetism and excellent flame retardancy were prepared by in situ polymerization. The experimental results showed that when the content of Fe₃O₄‐ALN increased, the M_s increased. And the saturation magnetization reached 14.35 emu/g when the Fe₃O₄‐ALN content was 10 wt%. The nanoparticle network formed by Fe₃O₄ and Al (OH)₃ can prevent the melting deformation of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) composite film and reduce the burning area. And the dual physical protective layer formed by nanoparticle network and char layer can prevent the combustible gas contacting with oxygen and giving off combustion heat, which effectively reduced the heat and smoke gas release. When the content of xFe₃O₄–2xAl(OH)₃ was 20 wt%, the oxygen index of the composite was 28.4%, and the flame retardancy of nanocomposite was classified as V‐0 rating in the UL‐94 test.     

catena‐Poly[[aqua(11‐chloropyrido[2′,3′:2,3]pyrimidino[5,6‐f][1,10]phenanthroline‐κ2N4,N5)cadmium(II)]‐μ‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ3O1,O1′:O4]: an inclined interpenetrating (6,3) network

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₇H₈ClN₅)(H₂O)]_n, contains one Cd^II atom, two half benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (1,4‐bdc) anions, one 11‐chloropyrido[2′,3′:2,3]pyrimidino[5,6‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (L) ligand and one coordination water molecule. The 1,4‐bdc ligands are on inversion centers at the centroids of the arene rings. The Cd^II atom is six‐coordinated by two N atoms from one L ligand, three carboxylate O atoms from two different 1,4‐bdc ligands and one water O atom in a distorted octahedral coordination sphere. Each Cd^II center is bridged by the 1,4‐bdc dianions to give a one‐dimensional chain. π–π stacking interactions between L ligands of neighboring chains extend adjacent chains into a two‐dimensional supramolecular (6,3) network. Neighboring (6,3) networks are interpenetrated in an unusual inclined mode, resulting in a three‐dimensional framework. Additionally, the water–carboxylate O—H...O hydrogen bonds observed in the network consolidate the interpenetrating nets.     

Magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of fungicides from environmental water samples

We adopted a facile hydrofluoric acid‐free hydro‐/solvothermal method for the preparation of four magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites (MIL‐101@Fe₃O₄‐COOH, MIL‐101‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH, MIL‐53@Fe₃O₄‐COOH, and MIL‐53‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH). The obtained four magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites were applied to magnetic separation and enrichment of the fungicides (prochloraz, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, and iprodione) from environmental samples before high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis. MIL‐101‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH showed more remarkable pre‐concentration ability for the fungicides as compared to the other three magnetic iron(III)‐based framework composites. The extraction parameters affecting enrichment efficiency including extraction time, sample pH, elution time, and the desorption solvent were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the standard curve of correlation coefficients were all above 0.991, the limits of detection were 0.04–0.4 μg/L, and the relative standard deviations were below 10.2%. The recoveries of two real water samples ranged from 71.1–99.1% at the low spiking level (30 μg/L). Therefore, the MIL‐101‐NH₂@Fe₃O₄‐COOH composites are attractive for the rapid and efficient extraction of fungicides from environmental water samples.     

Mechanochemical Immobilisation of Metathesis Catalysts in a Metal–Organic Framework

A simple, one‐step mechanochemical procedure for immobilisation of homogeneous metathesis catalysts in metal–organic frameworks was developed. Grinding MIL‐101‐NH₂(Al) with a Hoveyda–Grubbs second‐generation catalyst resulted in a heterogeneous catalyst that is active for metathesis and one of the most stable immobilised metathesis catalysts. During the mechanochemical immobilisation the MIL‐101‐NH₂(Al) structure was partially converted to MIL‐53‐NH₂(Al). The Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst entrapped in MIL‐101‐NH₂(Al) is responsible for the observed catalytic activity. The developed synthetic procedure was also successful for the immobilisation of a Zhan catalyst.     

Evidence of Amine–CO2 Interactions in Two Pillared‐Layer MOFs Probed by X‐ray Crystallography

Two pillared‐layer metal–organic frameworks (MOFs; PMOF‐55 and NH₂‐PMOF‐55) based on 1,2,4‐triazole and terephthalic acid (bdc)/NH₂‐bdc ligands were assembled and display framework stabilities, to a certain degree, in both acid/alkaline solutions and toward water. They exhibit high CO₂ uptakes and selective CO₂/N₂ adsorption capacities, with CO₂/N₂ selectivity in the range of 24–27, as calculated by the ideal adsorbed solution theory method. More remarkably, the site and interactions between the host network and the CO₂ molecules were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which showed that the main interaction between the CO₂ molecules and PMOF‐55 is due to multipoint supramolecular interactions of C?H???O, C???O, and O???O. Amino functional groups were shown to enhance the CO₂ adsorption and identified as strong adsorption sites for CO₂ by X‐ray crystallography.     

A three‐dimensional coordination polymer based on the Zn4(μ3‐OH)2 unit: poly[[(μ4‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ3‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ3‐hydroxido)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione)tetrazinc] dihydrate]

The title compound, {[Zn₄(C₈H₄O₄)₃(OH)₂(C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₂]·2H₂O}_n, has been prepared hydrothermally by the reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc) and 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione (pdon) in H₂O. In the crystal structure, a tetranuclear Zn₄(OH)₂ fragment is located on a crystallographic inversion centre which relates two subunits, each containing a [ZnN₂O₄] octahedron and a [ZnO₄] tetrahedron bridged by a μ₃‐OH group. The pdon ligand chelates to zinc through its two N atoms to form part of the [ZnN₂O₄] octahedron. The two crystallographically independent bdc²⁻ ligands are fully deprotonated and adopt μ₃‐κO:κO′:κO′′ and μ₄‐κO:κO′:κO′′:κO′′′ coordination modes, bridging three or four Zn^II cations, respectively, from two Zn₄(OH)₂ units. The Zn₄(OH)₂ fragment connects six neighbouring tetranuclear units through four μ₃‐bdc²⁻ and two μ₄‐bdc²⁻ ligands, forming a three‐dimensional framework with uninodal 6‐connected α‐Po topology, in which the tetranuclear Zn₄(OH)₂ units are considered as 6‐connected nodes and the bdc²⁻ ligands act as linkers. The uncoordinated water molecules are located on opposite sides of the Zn₄(OH)₂ unit and are connected to it through hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving hydroxide and carboxylate groups. The structure is further stabilized by extensive π–π interactions between the pdon and μ₄‐bdc²⁻ ligands.     

Noble Metals Can Have Different Effects on Photocatalysis Over Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs): A Case Study on M/NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au)

M‐doped NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au) were prepared by using the wetness impregnation method followed by a treatment with H₂ flow. The resultant samples were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses, N₂‐sorption BET surface area, and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic reaction carried out in saturated CO₂ with triethanolamine (TEOA) as sacrificial agent under visible‐light irradiations showed that the noble metal‐doping on NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) promoted the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Unlike that over pure NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), in which only formate was produced, both hydrogen and formate were formed over Pt‐ and Au‐loaded NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti). However, Pt and Au have different effects on the photocatalytic performance for formate production. Compared with pure NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), Pt/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) showed an enhanced activity for photocatalytic formate formation, whereas Au has a negative effect on this reaction. To elucidate the origin of the different photocatalytic performance, electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti).The photocatalytic mechanisms over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) (M=Pt and Au) were proposed. For the first time, the hydrogen spillover from the noble metal Pt to the framework of NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) and its promoting effect on the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is revealed. The elucidation of the mechanism on the photocatalysis over M/NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti) can provide some guidance in the development of new photocatalysts based on MOF materials. This study also demonstrates the potential of using noble metal‐doped MOFs in photocatalytic reactions involving hydrogen as a reactant, like hydrogenation reactions.     

Dimensions of the Ozonide Anion in M([18]crown‐6)O3·x NH3 with M = K (x = 2), Rb (x = 1) and Cs (x = 8)

Reaction of alkali metal ozonides (KO₃, RbO₃ and CsO₃) with [18]crown‐6 in liquid ammonia yields compounds of the composition M([18]crown‐6)O₃·x NH₃ with M = K (x = 2), Rb (x = 1) and Cs (x = 8). The large intermolecular distance between adjacent radical anions in these compounds leads to almost ideal paramagnetic behavior according to Curie's law. Discrepancies concerning the structure of the ozonide anions in the K and Cs compound compared to a former investigation on Rb([18]crown‐6)O₃·NH₃ have been resolved by means of DFT calculations and a single‐crystal structure redetermination.     

Facile fabrication of g‐C3N4/MIL‐53(Al) composite with enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible‐light irradiation

A novel visible‐light‐driven g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared using a facile stirring method at room temperature. The g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) composites were characterized and their effects on the photocatalytic activities for rhodamine B degradation were investigated. The g‐C₃N₄(20 wt%)/MIL‐53(Al) photocatalyst displayed optimal photocatalytic degradation efficiency, which was about five times higher than the photocatalytic activity of pure g‐C₃N₄. The improved photocatalytic performance of the g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) photocatalyst was predominantly attributed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs and the low charge‐transfer resistance. g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) also exhibited excellent stability and reusability. A proposed mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity is also discussed based on the experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly[diaqua(μ4‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato)(isonicotinato‐κ2O,O′)gadolinium(III)]

The title neutral polymer, [Gd(C₆H₄NO₂)(C₈H₄O₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, contains an extended two‐dimensional wave‐like lanthanide carboxylate layer decorated by isonicotinate (IN) ligands. The Gd^II atom is eight‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (1,2‐bdc) ligands, two 1,2‐bdc carboxylate O atoms from one chelating IN ligand and two terminal water molecules, forming a bicapped trigonal–prismatic coordination geometry. The wave‐like layers are stacked in an …ABAB… packing mode along the c‐axis direction. Strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions further stabilize the structure of the title compound.     

Enhancing the Water Stability of Al‐MIL‐101‐NH2 via Postsynthetic Modification

The resistance of metal–organic frameworks towards water is a very critical issue concerning their practical use. Recently, it was shown for microporous MOFs that the water stability could be increased by introducing hydrophobic pendant groups. Here, we demonstrate a remarkable stabilisation of the mesoporous MOF Al‐MIL‐101‐NH₂ by postsynthetic modification with phenyl isocyanate. In this process 86 % of the amino groups were converted into phenylurea units. As a consequence, the long‐term stability of Al‐MIL‐101‐URPh in liquid water could be extended beyond a week. In water saturated atmospheres Al‐MIL‐101‐URPh decomposed at least 12‐times slower than the unfunctionalised analogue. To study the underlying processes both materials were characterised by Ar, N₂ and H₂O sorption measurements, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and chemical analysis as well as solid‐state NMR and IR spectroscopy. Postsynthetic modification decreased the BET equivalent surface area from 3363 to 1555 m² g^?1 for Al‐MIL‐101‐URPh and reduced the mean diameters of the mesopores by 0.6 nm without degrading the structure significantly and reducing thermal stability. In spite of similar water uptake capacities, the relative humidity‐dependent uptake of Al‐MIL‐101‐URPh is slowed and occurs at higher relative humidity values. In combination with ¹H‐²⁷Al D ‐HMQC NMR spectroscopy experiments this favours a shielding mechanism of the Al clusters by the pendant phenyl groups and rules out pore blocking.