Systematic functionalization of a metal-organic framework via a postsynthetic modification approach

The pendant amino groups in isoreticular metal-organic framework-3 (IRMOF-3) were subjected to postsynthetic modification with 10 linear alkyl anhydrides (O(CO(CH2)nCH3)2 (where n = 1 to 18) and the extent of conversion, thermal and structural stability, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas of the resulting materials were probed. (1)H NMR of digested samples showed that longer alkyl chain anhydrides resulted in lower conversions of IRMOF-3 to the corresponding amide framework (designated as IRMOF-3-AM2 to IRMOF-3-AM19). Percent conversions ranged from essentially quantitative (approximately 99%, -AM2) to approximately 7% (-AM19) with IRMOF-3 samples. Modified samples were thermally stable up to approximately 430 degrees C and remained crystalline based on powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements. Under specific reaction conditions, significant conversions were obtained with complete retention of crystallinity, as verified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Single crystals of modified IRMOF-3 samples all showed that the F-centered cubic framework was preserved. All single crystals used for X-ray diffraction were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to confirm that these frameworks contained the modified 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate ligand. Single crystals of each modified IRMOF-3 were further characterized by measuring the dinitrogen gas sorption of each framework to determine the effects of modification on the porosity of the MOF. BET surface areas (m(2)/g) confirmed that all modified IRMOF-3 samples maintained microporosity regardless of the extent of modification. The surface area of modified MOFs was found to correlate to the size and number of substituents added to the framework.