Guests Like Gear Levers: Donor Binding to Coordinatively Unsaturated Metal Sites in MIL-101 Controls the Linker′s Rotation

We present investigation of the effect of electron-donor guests on framework mobility in the metal–organic framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr) monitored by solid state ²H NMR spectroscopy. In a guest-free material, the mobile phenylene fragments of the terephthalate (TP) linkers populate two fractions with notably different kinetic parameters for torsional motion. Two fractions of rotational motion are indicative of non-equivalence of TP linker binding to the Cr₃O trimer, the primary building unit of the MIL-101 framework. It is established that the interaction of the guest molecules with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUS) of the MOF dramatically decreases torsional barriers for the linker motions, enhancing the rotation rate. This result is opposite to a more conventional slowing down effect on the linker rotation of the guests not selectively interacting with the adsorption sites inside the framework of the MOFs. The effect of coordination on both the torsional barrier and the rotation rate depends notably on the particular guest interacting with the CUS. The found effects of the guest on the rotational motion represent a basis for developing the strategy for ruling and controlling the linker rotation in MOFs with CUS. It is shown that if water occupies CUS, another guest (tert-butanol, cyclohexanone) fails to competitively coordinate to the site.     

Metal-Dependent and Selective Crystallization of CAU-10 and MIL-53 Frameworks through Linker Nitration

The reaction of the V-shaped linker molecule 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (H₂L⁰), with Al or Ga nitrate under almost identical reaction conditions leads to the nitration of the linker and subsequent formation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with CAU-10 or MIL-53 type structure of composition [Al(OH)(L)], denoted as Al-CAU-10-L^{0, 2, 4, 6} or [Ga(OH)(L)], denoted as Ga-MIL-53-L². The Al-MOF contains the original linker L⁰ as well as three different nitration products (L², L⁴ and L^4/6), whereas the Ga-MOF mainly incorporates the linker L². The compositions were deduced by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by Rietveld refinement. In situ and ex situ studies were carried out to follow the nitration and crystallization, as well as the composition of the MOFs. The crystal structures were refined against powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. As anticipated, the use of the V-shaped linker results in the formation of the CAU-10 type structure in the Al-MOF. Unexpectedly, the Ga-MOF crystallizes in a MIL-53 type structure, which is usually observed with linear or slightly bent linker molecules. To study the structure directing effect of the in situ nitrated linker, pure 2-nitrobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (m-H₂BDC-NO₂) was employed which exclusively led to the formation of [Ga(OH)(C₈H₃NO₆)] (Ga-MIL-53-m-BDC-NO₂), which is isoreticular to Ga-MIL-53-L². Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirmed the higher stability of Ga-MIL-53-L² compared to Ga-CAU-10-L² and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations (GCMC) are in agreement with the observed water adsorption isotherms of Ga-MIL-53-L².     

Molecular Mobility of Tert-butyl Alcohol Confined in a Breathing MIL-53 (Al) Metal-Organic Framework

We present a detailed solid-state NMR characterization of the molecular dynamics of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) confined inside breathing metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-53(Al). ²⁷Al MAS NMR has demonstrated that TBA adsorption induces the iX phase of MIL-53 material with partially shrunk channels. ²H solid-state NMR has shown that the adsorbed alcohol exhibits anisotropic rotations of the methyl groups around two axes and librations of the molecule as a whole about the axis passing through the TBA C−O bond. These librations are realized by two distinct ways: fast molecule orientation change during the translational jump diffusion along the channel with characteristic time τ_D of about 10⁻⁹ s at 300 K; slow local librations at a single coordination site, representing framework hydroxyl groups, with τ_l≈10⁻⁶ s at 300 K. Self-diffusion coefficient of the alcohol in the MOF has been estimated: D=3.4×10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹ at 300 K. It has been inferred that both the framework flexibility and the interaction with framework hydroxyl groups define the dynamics of TBA confined in the channels of MIL-53 (Al).     

Linker engineering in metal–organic frameworks for dark photocatalysis

Dark reactions featuring continuous activity under light off conditions play a critical role in natural photosynthesis. However, most artificial photocatalysts are inactive upon the removal of the light source, and the artificial photocatalysts with dark photocatalysis abilities have been rarely explored. Herein, we report a Ti-based metal–organic framework (MOF), MIL-125, exhibiting the capability of dark photocatalytic hydrogen production. Remarkably, the introduction of different functional groups onto the linkers enables distinctly different activities of the resulting MOFs (MIL-125-X, X = NH₂, NO₂, Br). Dynamic and thermodynamic investigations indicate that the production and lifetime of the Ti³⁺ intermediate are the key factors, due to the electron-donating/-withdrawing effect of the functional groups. As far as we know, this is the first report on dark photocatalysis over MOFs, providing new insights into the storage of irradiation energy and demonstrating their great potential in dark photocatalysis due to the great MOF diversity.

A Ti-based MOF with long-lived Ti³⁺ can achieve dark photocatalysis. The different groups on the organic linker modulate electron storage ability and the lifetime of Ti³⁺, significantly regulating dark photocatalytic activity in H₂ production.     

Increasing the Complexity in the MIL-53 Structure: The Combination of the Mixed-Metal and the Mixed-Linker Concepts

The isoreticular mixed-component concept is a promising approach to tailor the material properties of metal–organic frameworks. While isoreticular mixed-metal or mixed-linker materials are commonly synthesized, the combination of both concepts for the development of isoreticular materials featuring both two metals and two linkers is still rarely investigated. Herein, we present the development of mixed-metal/mixed-linker MIL-53 materials that contain different metal combinations (Al/Sc, Al/V, Al/Cr, Al/Fe) and different linker ratios (terephthalate/2-aminoterephthalate). The possibility of changing the metal combination and the linker ratio independently from each other enables a large variety of modifications. A thorough characterization (PXRD, ATR-IR, TGA, ¹H NMR, ICP-OES) confirmed that all components were incorporated into the framework structure with a statistical distribution. Nitrogen physisorption measurements showed that the breathing behavior can be tailored by adjusting the linker ratio for all metal combinations. All materials were successfully used for post-synthetic modification reactions with maleic anhydride.     

Efficient CO2/N2 separation by mixed matrix membrane with amide functionalized porous coordination polymer filler

A new Pebax-based mixed matrix membrane with amide functionalized PCP filler shows promising CO₂/N₂ separation at ambient temperature.     

The triplet state of 4-nitronaphthylamine

Nanosecond spectroscopic and kinetic studies of 4-nitronaphthylamine (4-NO₂NA) in aerated and deaerated nonpolar solvents at room temperature show a transient species with absorption maxima at 470 and 665 nm. The rate constant for the decay of this species in deaerated benzene is 6.7 × 10⁵ sec^?1, while in aerated benzene solutions the species is quenched by oxygen with arate constant k = 2.0 × 10⁹M^?1·sec^?1. The transient absorption at 470and 665 nm is assigned to the lowest triplet excited state of 4-NO₂NA. In polar solvents, however, electronic excitation of 4-NO₂NA does not lead to any detectable transient absorption between 400 and 800 nm for the temperature range of 25 to ?150°C. This is attributed to lack of intersystem crossing of 4-NO₂NA in polar solvents.     

Adsorption of CO2 in metal organic frameworks of different metal centres: Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations compared to experiments

A Grand Canonical Monte Carlo study has been performed in order to compare the different CO₂ adsorption mechanisms between two members of the MIL-n family of hybrid metal-organic framework materials. The MIL-53 (Al) and MIL-47 (V) systems were considered. The results obtained confirm that there is a structural interchange between a large pore and narrow pore forms of MIL-53 (Al), not seen with the MIL-47 (V) material, which is a consequence of the presence of μ ₂-OH groups. The interactions between the CO₂ molecules and these μ ₂ OH groups mainly govern the adsorption mechanism in this MIL-53 (Al) material. The subsequent breaking of these adsorption geometries after the adsorbate loading increases past the point where no more preferred adsorption sites are available, are proposed as key features of the breathing phenomenon. After this, any new adsorbates introduced into the MIL-53 (Al) large pore structure experience a homogeneous adsorption environment with no preferential adsorption sites in a similar way to what occurs in MIL-47 (V).     

Pore‐Environment Engineering with Multiple Metal Sites in Rare‐Earth Porphyrinic Metal–Organic Frameworks

Multi‐component metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with precisely controlled pore environments are highly desired owing to their potential applications in gas adsorption, separation, cooperative catalysis, and biomimetics. A series of multi‐component MOFs, namely PCN‐900(RE), were constructed from a combination of tetratopic porphyrinic linkers, linear linkers, and rare‐earth hexanuclear clusters (RE₆) under the guidance of thermodynamics. These MOFs exhibit high surface areas (up to 2523 cm² g^?1) and unlimited tunability by modification of metal nodes and/or linker components. Post‐synthetic exchange of linear linkers and metalation of two organic linkers were realized, allowing the incorporation of a wide range of functional moieties. Two different metal sites were sequentially placed on the linear linker and the tetratopic porphyrinic linker, respectively, giving rise to an ideal platform for heterogeneous catalysis.     

新型四酰胺杯[4]氮杂冠醚的合成及对阴离子的光化学传感性质研究

合成了一类新型四酰胺杯[4]氮杂冠醚(5a, 5b), 用紫外和荧光光谱研究了主体与阴离子客体之间的识别性能. 主体分子5a或5b加入到对硝基酚氧阴离子的CHCl₃溶液中, 主客体间形成超分子复合物使得客体阴离子423 nm处吸光度降低且溶液从黄色变为无色. 受体5a, 5b与p-NO₂C₆H₄O^－, F^－, 相互作用, 荧光光谱发生变化, 并且对于p-NO₂C₆H₄O^－具有较好的选择性识别能力, 其荧光光谱强度改变强弱的顺序为p-NO₂C₆H₄O^－＞F^－＞H₂PO₄^－>>Cl^－, Br^－, I^－. 荧光光谱滴定的结果经非线性拟合, 结果表明主客体间形成1∶1络合物.     

Solid‐State NMR Characterization of Wilkinson’s Catalyst Immobilized in Mesoporous SBA‐3 Silica

The Wilkinson’s catalyst [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] has been immobilized inside the pores of amine functionalized mesoporous silica material SBA‐3 and The structure of the modified silica surface and the immobilized rhodium complex was determined by a combination of different solid‐state NMR methods. The successful modification of the silica surface was confirmed by ²⁹Si CP‐MAS NMR experiments. The presence of the T_n peaks confirms the successful functionalization of the support and shows the way of binding the organic groups to the surface of the mesopores. ³¹P‐³¹P J‐resolved 2D MAS NMR experiments were conducted in order to characterize the binding of the immobilized catalyst to the amine groups of the linkers attached to the silica surface. The pure catalyst exhibits a considerable ³¹P‐³¹P J‐coupling, well resolvable in 2D MAS NMR experiments. This J‐coupling was utilized to determine the binding mode of the catalyst to the linkers on the silica surface and the number of triphenylphosphine ligands that are replaced by coordination bonds to the amine groups. From the absence of any resolvable ³¹P‐³¹P J‐coupling in off‐magic‐angle‐spinning experiments, as well as slow‐spinning MAS experiments, it is concluded, that two triphenylphosphine ligands are replaced and that the catalyst is bonded to the silica surface through two linker molecules.     

Metal-Organic Frameworks as Hosts for Fluorinated Azobenzenes: A Path towards Quantitative Photoswitching with Visible Light

Fifteen new photochromic hybrid materials were synthesized by gas phase loading of fluorinated azobenzenes, namely ortho-tetrafluoroazobenzene (tF-AZB), 4H,4H′-octafluoroazobenzene (oF-AZB), and perfluoroazobenzene (pF-AZB), into the pores of the well-known metal-organic frameworks MOF-5, MIL-53(Al), MIL-53(Ga), MIL-68(Ga), and MIL-68(In). Their composition was analysed by elemental (CHNS) and DSC/TGA. For pF-AZB_0.34@MIL-53(Al), a structural model based on high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data was developed and the host-guest and guest-guest interactions were elucidated from this model. These interactions of O−H⋅⋅⋅F and π⋅⋅⋅π type were confirmed by significant shifts of the O−H frequencies in loaded and unloaded MOFs of the MIL-53 and MIL-68 series. Most remarkably, all of the synthesized F-AZB@MOF systems can be switched with visible light, and some of them show almost quantitative (>95 %) photo-isomerization between its E and Z forms with no significant fatigue after repeated switching cycles.     

Divergent synthesis of triazine dendrimers using a trimethylene-dipiperidine linker that increases efficiency, simplifies analysis, and improves product solubility

To combine benefits stemming from the high nucleophilicity of piperidine and the flexibility afforded by aliphatic triamine linkers, a trimethylene-dipiperidine linker has been used to synthesize triazine dendrimers using a divergent route. The cyclic, secondary amine of the linker reacts with monochlorotriazine monomer units, 1, leading to a dendrimer growth strategy that requires two-steps-per-generation. This strategy reduces the number of steps required for synthesis by 50%. The new linker also reduces complexity in the NMR spectra because rotational isomerism observed in linkers with primary amines is not present. In addition, the final products contain no interior hydrogen-bond donating groups. The high solubility observed in organic solvents for protected dendrimers is attributed to this factor and the inherent flexibility provided by the linker. Gas phase simulation suggests that globular structure emerges after generation three, whereafter the core of the dendrimer is effectively shielded from solvent.     

基于MIL⁃53(Al)的碳纳米管复合材料的制备及其用于超级电容器的性能

基于金属有机框架材料MIL?53(Al),制备出多孔碳原位生长碳纳米管(CNTs)的碳复合材料(C?MIL?53(Al)和C?Co@MIL?53(Al))。得益于MIL?53(Al)和CNTs的复合结构以及CoF2的形成,C?Co@MIL?53(Al)复合材料作为超级电容器电极时,在0.5 A·g^-1电流密度下展现出了高比电容(240.1 F·g^-1),并且经过2000次充放电循环后表现出良好的循环稳定性。     

A Low-Temperature Approach for the Phase-Pure Synthesis of MIL-140 Structured Metal–Organic Frameworks

In a systematic investigation, the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with MIL-140 structure was studied. The precursors of this family of MOFs are the same as for the formation of the well-known UiO-type MOFs although the synthesis temperature for MIL-140 is significantly higher. This study is focused on the formation of Zr-based MIL-140 MOFs with terephthalic acid (H₂bdc), biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (H₂bpdc), and 4,4′-stilbenedicarboxylic acid (H₂sdc) and the introduction of synthesis field diagrams to discover parameters for phase-pure products. In this context, a MIL-140 network with H₂sdc as linker molecule is first reported. Additionally, an important aspect is the reduction of the synthesis temperature to make MIL-140 MOFs more accessible even though linkers with a more delicate nature are used. The solvothermal syntheses were conducted in highly concentrated reaction mixtures whereby a targeted synthesis to yield the MIL-140 phase is possible. Furthermore, the effect of the often-used modulator approach is examined for these systems. Finally, the characteristics of the synthesized MOFs are compared with physisorption measurements, thermogravimetric analyses, and scanning electron microscopy.     

苯部分加氢制环己烯新型Ru-B/MOF催化剂

制备了多种金属-有机骨架(MOF)材料,采用浸渍-化学还原法制备了非晶态Ru-B/MOF催化剂,考察了它们在苯部分加氢反应中的催化性能.催化性能评价结果表明,这些催化剂的初始反应速率(r0)顺序为Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)-NH2Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)-NH2Ru-B/MIL-53(Cr)Ru-B/MIL-101(Cr)Ru-B/MIL-100(Fe),环己烯初始选择性(S0)顺序为Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)≈Ru-B/MIL-53(Cr)Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)-NH2Ru-B/MIL-101(Cr)Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)-NH2Ru-B/UIO-66(Zr)≈Ru-B/MIL-100(Fe).催化性能最好的Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)催化剂上的r0和S0分别为23 mmol·min-1·g-1和72%.采用多种手段,对催化性能差异最为显著的Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)和Ru-B/MIL-100(Fe)催化剂的物理化学性质进行了表征.发现MIL-53(Al)载体能够更好地分散Ru-B纳米粒子,粒子的平均尺寸为3.2 nm,而MIL-100(Fe)载体上Ru-B纳米粒子团聚严重,粒径达46.6 nm.更小的粒径不仅能够提供更多的活性位,而且也有利于环己烯选择性的提高.对Ru-B/MIL-53(Al)催化剂的反应条件进行了优化,在180°C和5 MPa的H2压力下,环己烯得率可达24%,展示了MOF材料用作苯部分加氢催化剂载体的良好前景.     

Preparation of silane-grafted pellets: silica bound reagents in a very convenient form

High surface area silica pellets are excellent supports for the preparation of silica supported reagents and solid-phase basal linkers through reaction with (RO)₃Si(CH₂)₃FG (FG=NH₂, NHMe, Cl, NHC(O)NH₂, OC(O)CMe(CH₂), NCO, NEt₂). High loadings (0.66-2.15 mmol g⁻¹) of grafted silane materials are realised at synthetically useful loadings per pellet (ca. 0.06 mmol). Preliminary trials show that trial linker chemistry and ligand synthesis can be carried out on these materials and that these reactions can be monitored by solid state ¹³C NMR studies on individual pellets.     

Storage of CO2 into Porous Coordination Polymer Controlled by Molecular Rotor Dynamics

Design to store gas molecules, such as CO₂, H₂, and CH₄, under low pressure is one of the most important challenges in chemistry and materials science. Herein, we describe the storage of CO₂ in the cavities of a porous coordination polymer (PCP) using molecular rotor dynamics. Owing to the narrow pore windows of PCP, CO₂ was not adsorbed at 195 K. As the temperature increased, the rotors exhibited rotational modes; such rotations dynamically expanded the size of the windows, leading to CO₂ adsorption. The rotational frequencies of the rotors (k≈10^?6 s) and correlation times of adsorbed CO₂ (τ≈10^?8 s) were elucidated via solid‐state NMR studies, which suggest that the slow rotation of the rotors sterically restricts CO₂ diffusion in the pores. This restriction results in an unusually slow CO₂ mobility close to solid state (τ≥10^?8 s). Once adsorbed at room temperature, CO₂ is robustly stored in the PCP under vacuum at 195–233 K because of the steric hindrance of the rotors. We also demonstrate that this mechanism can be applied to the storage of CH₄.     

Preparation and characterization of periodic mesoporous organosilica terminally functionalized with fluorocarbon groups by a direct synthesis

Fluorocarbon groups were used to modify the pore channels of ethane-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica by the co-condensation of 1,2-Bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE) and trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFPTMS) in the presence of Poly(ethylene glycol)-B-Poly(propylene glycol)-B-Poly(ethylene glycol) (P123) surfactants under acidic conditions. The functionalized materials were investigated in detail by means of XRD, TEM, FT-IR, solid-state NMR, and N₂ adsorption. The effect of fluorocarbon groups concentration on the mesoscopic order and pore structure of the functionalized materials was also studied. The results show that bridging groups in the framework do not cleave and fluorocarbon groups are attached covalently to the pore wall of periodic mesoporous organosilica after functionalization. The samples functionalized with 20% TFPTMS remain desired mesoporous architecture, with a narrow pore size distribution centered at 4.1 nm, a large surface of 834 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.91 cm³g⁻¹, without pronounced change compared to the pure periodic mesoporous organosilica. Unfortunately the functionalized materials become structurally disordered with increasing amount of fluorocarbon groups.     

Effect of Linker Length and Flexibility on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium thermocellum</Emphasis> Esterase Displayed on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> Spores

In fusion protein design strategies, the flexibility and length of linkers are important parameters affecting the bioactivity of multifunctional proteins. A series of fusion proteins with different linkers were constructed. The effect of temperature, pH, and organic solvents was investigated on the enzymatic activity. Fusion proteins with P1(PTPTPT) and P2((PTPTPT)₂) linkers remained highly active with wide temperature range. At pH 9.6, the relative activity of fusion proteins with (PTPTPT)₂ and S2(EGKSSGSGSESKST) linkers was 70 and 62 % (1.75 and 1.5 times of that of non-linker ones). Fusion proteins with S3((GGGGS)₄) linker retained 55 % activity after 5 h of incubation at 80 °C (1.2-fold of that of non-linker fusion proteins and 1.9-fold of GGGGS-linker fusion proteins). Finally, the relative activity of fusion proteins having different linkers was increased with 20 % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methanol; relative activity of fusion proteins with EGKSSGSGSESKST linkers was enhanced 1.5- and 2.2-fold, respectively. These results suggest that longer flexible linker can enhance the activity and stability of displayed esterase than shorter flexible linker. Optimizing peptide linkers with length, flexibility, and amino acid composition could improve the thermostability and activity of the displayed enzyme.