High Uptake of ReO4− and CO2 Conversion by a Radiation‐Resistant Thorium–Nickle [Th48Ni6] Nanocage‐Based Metal–Organic Framework

Assembled from [Th₄₈Ni₆] nanocages, the first transition‐metal (TM)‐thorium metal–organic framework (MOF, 1 ) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. 1 exhibits high solvent and acid/base stability, and resistance to 400 kGy β irradiation. Notably, 1 captures ReO₄^? (an analogue of radioactive ⁹⁹TcO₄^?, a key species in nuclear wastes) with a maximum capacity of 807 mg g^?1, falling among the largest values known to date. Furthermore, 1 can enrich methylene blue (MB) and can also serve as an effective and recyclable catalyst for CO₂ fixation with epoxides; there is no significant loss of catalytic activity after 10 cycles. Theoretical studies with nucleus‐independent chemical shifts and natural bond orbital analysis reveal that the [Th₆O₈] clusters in 1 have a unique stable electronic structure with (d–p)π aromaticity, partially rationalising 1 ′s stability.     

Adsorption of 99TcO4 − onto hydrotalcite and calcined hydrotalcite under basic conditions: influence of humic acids and anions

The remediation of technetium-99 (⁹⁹Tc) at contaminated sites remains a major challenge, as Tc high solubility and anionic nature under oxic conditions lead to high contaminant mobility. Hydrotalcite, a form of anionic clay, can strongly retain anions, especially upon mineral calcination. However, naturally occurring humic acids can also sorb onto hydrotalcite, therefore competing with TcO₄ ^? for sorption sites. This work explores the ability of hydrotalcite to retain TcO₄ ^? in presence of humic substances to evaluate the efficacy of hydrotalcite for Tc remediation in natural environment. Results show that calcined hydrotalcite can immobilize TcO₄ ^?, while the presence of 23 ppm humic acids has little influence on TcO₄ ^? uptake. However, additional monatomic and polyatomic anions in solution can compete with TcO₄ ^? for sorption sites on hydrotalcite.     

Highly Selective Enamination of β‐ketoesters Catalyzed by Interlocked [Cu8] and [Cu18] Nanocages

Interlocking cages are of great interest due to their fascinating structures and potential applications. However, the interlocking of different cages has not been previously reported. Herein, quadruply interlocked [Cu₈] and [Cu₁₈] nanocages have been constructed and structurally characterized in cationic metal–organic framework {[Cu^ICu₄^II(XN)₄(PTA)₄(H₂O)₄]0.5 SO₄?5 H₂O?EtOH}_n ( 1 ). 1 can trap the anionic pollutant CrO₄^2? and the radioactive‐contaminant simulant ReO₄^? with an uptake capacity of 83.2 and 218 mg g^?1, respectively. Catalytic investigations reveal 1 is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the enamination of ethyl acetoacetate with aniline and the turnover frequency (TOF) can reach a record value of 4000 h^?1. More importantly, 1 represents the first of a catalyst of enamination to exhibit excellent size selectivity on different substrates. The robust catalyst can be reused at least ten times without obvious loss in catalytic activity.     

An Olefin‐Linked Covalent Organic Framework as a Flexible Thin‐Film Electrode for a High‐Performance Micro‐Supercapacitor

Developing effective synthetic strategies as well as enriching functionalities for sp²‐carbon‐linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) still remains a challenge. Now, taking advantage of a variant of Knoevenagel condensation, a new fully conjugated COF ( g‐C₃₄N₆‐COF ) linked by unsubstituted C=C bonds was synthesized. Integrating 3,5‐dicyano‐2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine and 1,3,5‐triazine units into the molecular framework leads to the enhanced π‐electron communication and electrochemical activity. This COF shows uniform nanofibrous morphology. By assembling it with carbon nanotubes, a flexible thin‐film electrode for a micro‐supercapacitor (MSC) can be easily obtained. The resultant COF‐based MSC shows an areal capacitance of up to 15.2 mF cm^?2, a high energy density of up to 7.3 mWh cm^?3, and remarkable rate capability. These values are among the highest for state‐of‐the‐art MSCs. Moreover, this device exhibits excellent flexibility and integration capability.     

Non‐3d Metal Modulation of a Cobalt Imidazolate Framework for Excellent Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution in Neutral Media

Cobalt imidazolate frameworks are classical electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but suffer from the relatively low activity. Here, a non‐3d metal modulation strategy is presented for enhancing the OER activity of cobalt imidazolate frameworks. Two isomorphous frameworks [Co₄(MO₄)(eim)₆] (M=Mo or W, Heim=2‐ethylimidazole) having Co(eim)₃(MO₄) units and high water stabilities were designed and synthesized. In different neutral media, the Mo‐modulated framework coated on a glassy carbon electrode shows the best OER performances (1 mA cm^?2 at an overpotential of 210 mV in CO₂‐saturated 0.5 m KHCO₃ electrolyte and 2/10/22 mA cm^?2 at overpotential of 388/490/570 mV in phosphate buffer solution) among non‐precious metal catalysts and even outperforms RuO₂. Spectroscopic measurements and computational simulations revealed that the non‐3d metals modulate the electronic structure of Co for optimum reactant/product adsorption and tailor the energy of rate‐determining step to a more moderate value.     

A Phthalocyanine‐Based Layered Two‐Dimensional Conjugated Metal–Organic Framework as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Layered two‐dimensional (2D) conjugated metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a family of rising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), due to the controllable architectures, excellent electrical conductivity, and highly exposed well‐defined molecular active sites. Herein, we report a copper phthalocyanine based 2D conjugated MOF with square‐planar cobalt bis(dihydroxy) complexes (Co‐O₄) as linkages (PcCu‐O₈‐Co) and layer‐stacked structures prepared via solvothermal synthesis. PcCu‐O₈‐Co 2D MOF mixed with carbon nanotubes exhibits excellent electrocatalytic ORR activity (E_1/2=0.83 V vs. RHE, n=3.93, and j_L=5.3 mA cm^?2) in alkaline media, which is the record value among the reported intrinsic MOF electrocatalysts. Supported by in situ Raman spectro‐electrochemistry and theoretical modeling as well as contrast catalytic tests, we identified the cobalt nodes as ORR active sites. Furthermore, when employed as a cathode electrocatalyst for zinc–air batteries, PcCu‐O₈‐Co delivers a maximum power density of 94 mW cm^?2, outperforming the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C electrocatalysts (78.3 mW cm^?2).     

Extraction of moderate oxidation state technetium species between 30 % tri-n-butyl phosphate and H2SO4/HNO3

The extraction of technetium species at oxidation state lower than +7 has been examined in sulfuric and sulfuric/nitric acid solutions using UV–Vis spectroscopy and optically transparent thin layer cell (RVC-OTTLE). Soluble Tc(III), TcO²⁺ and [Tc₂O₂]³⁺ species with absorption bands at 420–450, 400, and 502 nm, respectively, were detected as products of pertechnetates electroreduction. The distribution ratios of ⁹⁹Tc with lower than +VII oxidation state ionic species between 4 M H₂SO₄ and 30 % TBP/kerosene were found and are significantly lower than for TcO₄ ^? in the same solution.     

CoP‐Doped MOF‐Based Electrocatalyst for pH‐Universal Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Although electrocatalysts based on transition metal phosphides (TMPs) with cationic/anionic doping have been widely studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the origin of performance enhancement still remains elusive mainly due to the random dispersion of dopants. Herein, we report a controllable partial phosphorization strategy to generate CoP species within the Co‐based metal‐organic framework (Co‐MOF). Density functional theory calculations and experimental results reveal that the electron transfer from CoP to Co‐MOF through N‐P/N‐Co bonds could lead to the optimized adsorption energy of H₂O (ΔG ) and hydrogen (ΔG_H*), which, together with the unique porous structure of Co‐MOF, contributes to the remarkable HER performance with an overpotential of 49 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in 1 m phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The excellent catalytic performance exceeds almost all the documented TMP‐based and non‐noble‐metal‐based electrocatalysts. In addition, the CoP/Co‐MOF hybrid also displays Pt‐like performance in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ and 1 m KOH, with the overpotentials of 27 and 34 mV, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2.     

ZIF‐8 Membrane Separation Performance Tuning by Vapor Phase Ligand Treatment

Vapor phase ligand treatment (VPLT) of 2‐aminobenzimidazole (2abIm) for 2‐methylimidazole (2mIm) in ZIF‐8 membranes prepared by two different methods (LIPS: ligand induced permselectivation and RTD: rapid thermal deposition) results in a notable shift of the molecular level cut‐off to smaller molecules establishing selectivity improvements from ca. 1.8 to 5 for O₂/N₂; 2.2 to 32 for CO₂/CH₄; 2.4 to 24 for CO₂/N₂; 4.8 to 140 for H₂/CH₄ and 5.2 to 126 for H₂/N₂. Stable (based on a one‐week test) oxygen‐selective air separation performance at ambient temperature, 7 bar(a) feed, and 1 bar(a) sweep‐free permeate with a mixture separation factor of 4.5 and oxygen flux of 2.6×10^?3 mol m^?2 s^?1 is established. LIPS and RTD membranes exhibit fast and gradual evolution upon a 2abIm‐VPLT, respectively, reflecting differences in their thickness and microstructure. Functional reversibility is demonstrated by showing that the original permeation properties of the VPLT‐LIPS membranes can be recovered upon 2mIm‐VPLT.     

Syntheses of High‐Valent fac‐[99mTcO3]+ Complexes and [3+2] Cycloadditions with Alkenes in Water as a Direct Labelling Strategy

Reported herein is a new concept for the labelling of biomolecules with small [^{99 m}TcO₃]⁺ complexes through a [3+2] cycloaddition with alkenes for radiopharmaceutical applications. We developed convenient reactions for the synthesis of small, water stable fac‐[TcO₃(tacn‐R)]⁺ complexes (⁹⁹Tc and ^99mTc, tacn=1,4,7‐triazacyclononane, R=H, ‐CH₂‐C₆H₅, ‐CH₂‐C₆H₄COOH). With alkenes, these high valent [^99mTcO₃]⁺ complexes undergo [3+2] cycloaddition with formation of the corresponding Tc^V–glycolato complexes. The ^99mTc^V and ^99mTc^VII complexes are stable at 37 °C in water and in the presence of serum proteins. Therefore, new opportunities in technetium chemistry are enabled with a high potential for medicinal and biological applications. In contrast to classical labelling, the presented strategy is ligand and not metal‐centred.     

99Tc NMR determination of the oxygen isotope content in 18O‐enriched water

⁹⁹Tc NMR has been suggested as an original method of evaluating the content of oxygen isotopes in oxygen‐18‐enriched water, a precursor for the production of radioisotope fluorine‐18 used in positron emission tomography. To this end, solutions of NH₄TcO₄ or NaTcO₄ (up to 0.28 mol/L) with natural abundance of oxygen isotopes in virgin or recycled ¹⁸O‐enriched water have been studied by ⁹⁹Tc NMR. The method is based on ¹⁶O/¹⁷O/¹⁸O intrinsic isotope effects in the ⁹⁹Tc NMR chemical shifts, and the statistical distribution of oxygen isotopes in the coordination sphere of TcO₄⁻ and makes it possible to quantify the composition of enriched water by measuring the relative intensities of the ⁹⁹Tc NMR signals of the Tc¹⁶O_4−n¹⁸O_n⁻ isotopologues. Because the oxygen exchange between TcO₄⁻ and enriched water in neutral and alkaline solutions is characterized by slow kinetics, gaseous HCl was bubbled through a solution for a few seconds to achieve the equilibrium distribution of oxygen isotopes in the Tc coordination sphere without distortion of the oxygen composition of the water. Pertechnetate ion was selected as a probe due to its high stability in solutions and the significant ⁹⁹Tc NMR shift induced by a single ¹⁶O→¹⁸O substitution (−0.43 ± 0.01 ppm) in TcO₄⁻ and spin coupling constant ¹J(⁹⁹Tc–¹⁷O) (131.46 Hz) favourable for the observation of individual signals of Tc¹⁶O_4−n¹⁸O_n⁻ isotopologues.     

Sorption of Tc(IV) and Tc(VII) on Soils: Influence of Humic Substances

The technetium sorption behaviour in different samples of soils was studied under aerobic conditions. Tc(VII) was reduced to Tc(IV) by Sn²⁺ ions. About 99% of reduced technetium is absorbed by the soils under investigation. Sorption of TcO₄ ^– was studied in short-term (1-hour) and long-term (1-month) experiments. Sorption of TcO₄ ^– in presence of sodium humate (Aldrich) was generally lower than from pure water (from 99% to 12%) and depends on the depth of origin of the ground. Immobilisation of TcO₄ ^– after sorption on superficial sample of soils was studied by paper chromatography. Oxidation of Tc(IV) in presence of NO₃ ^– and NO₂ ^– (concentration range 10^–1–10^–5 mol·dm^–3) ions was studied as a function of time and concentration of NO₃ ^– and NO₂ ^– ions. The content of Tc(IV) in NO₃ ^– and NO₂ ^– solutions decreases with time (46 hours) relatively slowly.     

The stability of99mTc phosphorus compounds in plasma both in vivo and in vitro

The in vivo and in vitro stability of^99mTc hydroxyethlylidene diphosphonate, 99^mTc methylenediphosphonate and^99mTc pyrophosphate in plasma has been studied using paper chromatographic technique as the analytical tool. The results indicate that the amounts of^99mTc activity found both at the origin and R_f range of^99mTcO₄ ^? for in vivo experiments are slightly greater than those for either in vitro or control experiments. However, this amount of^99mTc activity represents about 0.16–0.4% of the injected dose. Therefore, it is suggested that^99mTc phosphorus radiopharmaceuticals are stable in vivo and neither oxidation nor hydrolysis of these bone imaging agents occurs in the blood.     

Pertechnetyl Fluorosulfate, [TcO3]+[SO3F]−

A one step synthesis of [TcO₃]⁺[SO₃F]^? is reported. The compound is volatile at room temperature and has according to calculations a tetrahedral coordination around Tc and a monodentate SO₃F group. In the solid state the [SO₃F]^? anion bridges three [TcO₃]⁺ cations, and vice versa. Space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 173 K: a = 695.4(11), b = 808.6(12), c = 893.3(14) pm, β = 97.36(8)°.     

Effects of ionic strength and humic acid on 99TcO4 ? sorption and diffusion in Beishan granite

In terms of pre-safety assessment of a potential site for high-level radioactive wastes disposal in China, the geochemical behavior of key radionuclides which tend to be released from the repository must be thoroughly investigated. ⁹⁹Tc is a long-lived fission product with appreciable productivity in nuclear fuel, and Tc (+7) has unlimited solubility in near-field geochemical environments. In this study, the effects of ionic strength and humic acid on ⁹⁹TcO₄ ^? sorption and diffusion in Beishan granite were investigated with through-diffusion and batch sorption experiments. Results indicated that the effective diffusion coefficients (D _e) of ⁹⁹TcO₄ ^? in Beishan granite varied from 1.07?×?10^?12 to 1.28?×?10^?12?m²/s without change with ionic strength, while the distribution coefficients (K _d) negatively correlated with ionic strength of the rock/water system. This study also indicates that there is no evident influence of humic acid concentration on the diffusion behavior of ⁹⁹TcO₄ ^? in Beishan granite, due to the limited interaction between humic acid and ⁹⁹TcO₄ ^?.     

Three Mechanisms in One Material: Uranium Capture by a Polyoxometalate–Organic Framework through Combined Complexation,Chemical Reduction,and Photocatalytic Reduction

The design and synthesis of uranium sorbent materials with high uptake efficiency, capacity and selectivity, as well as excellent hydrolytic stability and radiation resistance remains a challenge. Herein, a polyoxometalate (POM)–organic framework material ( SCU‐19 ) with a rare inclined polycatenation structure was designed, synthesized through a solvothermal method, and tested for uranium separation. Under dark conditions, SCU‐19 can efficiently capture uranium through ligand complexation using its exposed oxo atoms and partial chemical reduction from U^VI to U^IV by the low‐valent Mo atoms in the POM. An additional U^VI photocatalytic reduction mechanism can occur under visible light irradiation, leading to a higher uranium removal without saturation and faster sorption kinetics. SCU‐19 is the only uranium sorbent material with three distinct sorption mechanisms, as further demonstrated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis.     

Selective Aerobic Oxidation of a Metal–Organic Framework Boosts Thermodynamic and Kinetic Propylene/Propane Selectivity

Efficient adsorptive separation of propylene/propane (C₃H₆/C₃H₈) is highly desired and challenging. Known strategies focus on either the thermodynamic or the kinetic mechanism. Here, we report an interesting reactivity of a metal–organic framework that improves thermodynamic and kinetic adsorption selectivity simultaneously. When the metal–organic framework is heated under oxygen flow, half of the soft methylene bridges of the organic ligands are selectively oxidized to form the more polar and rigid carbonyl bridges. Mixture breakthrough experiments showed drastic increase of C₃H₆/C₃H₈ selectivity from 1.5 to 15. For comparison, the C₃H₆/C₃H₈ selectivities of the best‐performing metal–organic frameworks Co‐MOF‐74 and KAUST‐7 were experimentally determined to be 6.5 and 12, respectively. Gas adsorption isotherms/kinetics, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and computational simulations revealed that the oxidation gives additional guest recognition sites, which improve thermodynamic selectivity, and reduces the framework flexibility, which generate kinetic selectivity.     

Hot π‐Electron Tunneling of Metal–Insulator–COF Nanostructures for Efficient Hydrogen Production

A metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) photosystem based on covalent organic framework (COF) semiconductors was designed for robust and efficient hydrogen evolution under visible‐light irradiation. A maximal H₂ evolution rate of 8.42 mmol h^?1 g^?1 and a turnover frequency of 789.5 h^?1 were achieved by using a MIS photosystem prepared by electrostatic self‐assembly of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) insulator‐capped Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with the hydrophilic imine‐linked TP‐COFs having =C=O?H?N= hydrogen‐bonding groups. The hot π‐electrons in the photoexcited n‐type TP‐COF semiconductors can be efficiently extracted and tunneled to Pt NPs across an ultrathin PVP insulating layer to reduce protons to H₂. Compared to the Schottky‐type counterparts, the COF‐based MIS photosystems give a 32‐fold‐enhanced carrier efficiency, attributed to the combined enhancement of photoexcitation rate, charge separation, and oxidation rate of holes accumulated in the valence band of the TP‐COF semiconductor.     

Adenine Components in Biomimetic Metal–Organic Frameworks for Efficient CO2 Photoconversion

Visible‐light driven photoconversion of CO₂ into energy carriers is highly important to the natural carbon balance and sustainable development. Demonstrated here is the adenine‐dependent CO₂ photoreduction performance in green biomimetic metal–organic frameworks. Photocatalytic results indicate that AD‐MOF‐2 exhibited a very high HCOOH production rate of 443.2 μmol g^?1 h^?1 in pure aqueous solution, and is more than two times higher than that of AD‐MOF‐1 (179.0 μmol g^?1h^?1) in acetonitrile solution. Significantly, experimental and theoretical evidence reveal that the CO₂ photoreduction reaction mainly takes place at the aromatic nitrogen atom of adenine molecules through a unique o‐amino‐assisted activation rather than at the metal center. This work not only serves as an important case study for the development of green biomimetic photocatalysts used for artificial photosynthesis, but also proposes a new catalytic strategy for efficient CO₂ photoconversion.     

To Sandwich Technetium: Highly Functionalized Bis‐Arene Complexes [99mTc(η6‐arene)2]+ Directly from Water and [99mTcO4]−

The labeling of (bio)molecules with metallic radionuclides such as ^99mTc demands conjugated, multidentate chelators. However, this is not always necessary since phenyl rings can directly serve as integrated, organometallic ligands. Bis‐arene sandwich complexes are generally prepared by the Fischer–Hafner reaction. In extension of this, we show that [^99mTc(η⁶‐C₆R₆)₂]⁺‐type complexes are directly accessible from water and [^99mTcO₄]^?, even using arenes incompatible with Fischer–Hafner conditions. To unambiguously confirm the nature of these unprecedented ^99mTc complexes, their rhenium homologous have been prepared by substituting naphthalene ligands in [Re(η⁶‐C₁₀H₈)₂]⁺ with the corresponding phenyl groups. The ease with which highly stable [^99mTc(η⁶‐C₆R₆)₂]⁺ complexes are formed under standard labeling conditions enables a multitude of new potential imaging agents based on commercial pharmaceuticals or lead structures.