Functional mixed metal-organic frameworks with metalloligands

Immobilization of functional sites within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is very important for their ability to recognize small molecules and thus for their functional properties. The metalloligand approach has enabled us to rationally immobilize a variety of different functional sites such as open metal sites, catalytic active metal sites, photoactive metal sites, chiral pore environments, and pores of tunable sizes and curvatures into mixed metal-organic frameworks (M'MOFs). In this Minireview, we highlight some important functional M'MOFs with metalloligands for gas storage and separation, enantioselective separation, heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis, sensing, and as photoactive and nanoscale drug delivery and biomedical imaging materials.     

Three novel isomeric zinc metal-organic frameworks from a tetracarboxylate linker

Three porous supramolecular isomers (IZE-1, IZE-2, and IZE-3) with the same framework component [Zn(2)(EBTC)(H(2)O)(2)] (EBTC = 1,1'-ethynebenzene-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylate) were successfully constructed by finely tuning the reaction condition. Although both IZE-1 and IZE-2 are constructed from the linear EBTC subunits and one kind of regular [Zn(2)(CO(2))(4)] paddlewheels, their frameworks exhibit two different (3,4)-c net of fof (sqc1575) and sqc1572, respectively, resulting in cavities with different size and shape. However, as for isomer IZE-3, the EBTC ligands are bent and one-half of the [Zn(2)(CO(2))(4)] paddlewheels are distorted, leading to a novel (3,4,4)-c hyx net with point symbol (6.7(2))(4)(6(2).8(2).10(2))(7(2).8(2).11(2)) and vertex symbol (6.7.7)(4)(7(2).7(2).8.8.12.12)(6.6.8.8.10(2).10(2)). Quantum chemical calculations by DFT indicate that the three isomers have very close thermodynamic stabilities, which may explain that subtle condition change leads to variation of the frameworks. Further theoretical semiempirical investigation on the interactions between solvent molecules and compounds shows different hydrogen binding patterns in good agreement with the experimental observations. Furthermore, they exhibit good solid-state luminescence properties with long lifetime.     

Double-stranded metal-organic networks for one-dimensional mixed valence coordination polymers

The design of new types of metal-organic networks and the search for unusual crystal architecture represents an important task for modern inorganic and materials chemistry research. A group of new monosubstituted phenylcyanoximes, containing F, Cl, and Br atoms at the 2, 3, or 4 positions, were synthesized using the high yield nitrosation reaction with CH3-ONO and were spectroscopically (1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV-visible, IR, mass spectrometry) and structurally characterized. Results of X-ray analysis revealed nonplanar trans-anti geometry for 2-chlorophenyl(oximino)acetonitrile, H(2Cl-PhCO); a nonplanar anti configuration for 4-chlorophenyl(oximino)acetonitrile, H(4Cl-PhCO); and planar cis-syn geometry for 3-fluorophenyl(oximino)acetonitrile, H(3F-PhCO). All arylcyanoximes undergo deprotonation in solutions with the formation of colored anions exhibiting pronounced negative solvatochromism in a series of polar protic and aprotic solvents. Nine thallium(I) cyanoximates were obtained using the reaction between hot (approximately 95 degrees C) aqueous solutions of Tl2CO3 and solid powdery monohalogenated arylcyanoximes HL. Crystal structures of two Tl(I) cyanoximates [Tl(2Cl-PhCO) and Tl(4Br-PhCO)] contained centrosymmetric dimeric units (TlL)2 that are connected to a coordination polymer by means of an oxygen atom of the oxime group of the neighboring molecule. Cyanoxime anions act as bridging ligands in both structures where the polymeric motif consists of double-stranded Tl-O chains interconnected with the formation of zigzagging Tl2O2 planar rhombes. Thallium atoms form infinite linear arrays with close intermetallic separations. The nearest Tl(I)...Tl(I) distances are 3.838 and 4.058 angstroms in the Tl(2Cl-PhCO) and Tl(4Br-PhCO) structures, respectively, close to that in metallic thallium (3.456 angstroms). Monosubstituted phenyl groups are well aligned in pi-stacking columns that are perpendicular to the array of Tl(I) atoms and stabilize formed structures. Coordination polyhedrons of thallium(I) in these complexes represent distorted trigonal pyramids with stereoactive lone pair.     

Extended two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks based on thiolate-copper coordination bonds

Self-assembly and surface-mediated reactions of 1,3,5-tris(4-mercaptophenyl)benzene--a three-fold symmetric aromatic trithiol--are studied on Cu(111) by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions. In order to reveal the nature of intermolecular bonds and to understand the specific role of the substrate for their formation, these studies were extended to Ag(111). Room-temperature deposition onto either substrate yields densely packed trigonal structures with similar appearance and lattice parameters. Yet, thermal annealing reveals distinct differences between both substrates: on Cu(111) moderate annealing temperatures (~150 °C) already drive the emergence of two different porous networks, whereas on Ag(111) higher annealing temperatures (up to ~300 °C) were required to induce structural changes. In the latter case only disordered structures with characteristic dimers were observed. These differences are rationalized by the contribution of the adatom gas on Cu(111) to the formation of metal-coordination bonds. Density functional theory (DFT) methods were applied to identify intermolecular bonds in both cases by means of their bond distances and geometries.     

Functional porphyrinic metal-organic frameworks: crystal engineering and applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a kind of material which are able to integrate functional groups on their framework backbones. The tunable functionalities let MOFs be applied in various fields of luminescence, gas storage, sensing, magnetics, catalysis and biomedical imaging. Because of their interesting properties of structural robustness, catalysis, charge and energy transformations, using porphyrins and metalloporphyrins as synthons for the fabrication of functional MOFs has attracted considerable interest. Many efficient strategies have been established for the construction of functional porphyrinic MOFs, and some of them present interesting properties for potential applications. This perspective is aimed to summarize recent progress on porphyrinic MOFs, including new synthesis strategies and applications.     

Functional porous coordination polymers

The chemistry of the coordination polymers has in recent years advanced extensively, affording various architectures, which are constructed from a variety of molecular building blocks with different interactions between them. The next challenge is the chemical and physical functionalization of these architectures, through the porous properties of the frameworks. This review concentrates on three aspects of coordination polymers: 1). the use of crystal engineering to construct porous frameworks from connectors and linkers ("nanospace engineering"), 2). characterizing and cataloging the porous properties by functions for storage, exchange, separation, etc., and 3). the next generation of porous functions based on dynamic crystal transformations caused by guest molecules or physical stimuli. Our aim is to present the state of the art chemistry and physics of and in the micropores of porous coordination polymers.     

Electronic effects of linker substitution on Lewis acid catalysis with metal-organic frameworks

Functionalized linkers can greatly increase the activity of metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts with coordinatively unsaturated sites. A clear linear free-energy relationship (LFER) was found between Hammett σ(m) values of the linker substituents X and the rate k(X) of a carbonyl-ene reaction. This is the first LFER ever observed for MOF catalysts. A 56-fold increase in rate was found when the substituent is a nitro group.     

Pillared, 3D metal-organic frameworks with rectangular channels. Synthesis and characterization of coordination polymers based on tricadmium carboxylates

Hydro(solvo)thermal reactions between cadmium(II) perchlorate and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde in the presence of various guest molecules have resulted in a series of 3-D coordination polymers based on tricadmium carboxylates [Cd6(isonicotinate)10(H2O)2](ClO4)2(EtOH)4(H2O)4, 1, [Cd3(isonicotinate)5 (EtOH)](ClO4)(EtOH)(4-nitroaniline)0.5, 2, and [Cd6(isonicotinate)11](ClO4)(EtOH)2(H2O)2(4-cyanopyridine)0.5, 3. X-ray single crystal structure determinations show that they exhibit similar pillared, 3D framework structures based on tricadmium carboxylate building blocks. Rectangular channels are clearly present in these polymeric networks and are occupied by perchlorate anions and disordered guest molecules. Quantitative NMR and X-ray powder diffraction studies and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) reveal that these coordination networks are capable of accommodating different guest molecules. More significantly, the guest molecules can be readily removed via evacuation to result in nanoporous polymeric coordination networks retaining the framework structures of the pristine solids. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 19.041(1) A, b = 23.654(1) A, c = 21.568(1) A, beta = 95.440(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Crystal data for 2: triclinic space group P1, a = 12.050(1) A, b = 12.277(1) A, c = 19.103(1) A, alpha = 91.669(1) degrees, beta = 96.850(1) degrees, gamma = 117.945(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Crystal data for 3: monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 19.038(1) A, b = 23.834(1) A, c = 21.756(1) A, beta = 97.580(1) degrees, and Z = 4.     

Heterometallic metal-organic frameworks based on tris(dipyrrinato) coordination complexes

A novel class of heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been synthesized and characterized. The MOFs rely on the use of tris(dipyrrinato) coordination complexes as the bridging structure and silver(I) ions as the linking unit. The building blocks and resulting MOFs have been structurally characterized by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The modular nature of this approach is demonstrated by the use of both iron(III) and cobalt(III) complexes. The MOFs have strong electronic absorption features originating from the metal-dipyrrin chromophore and have continuous channels throughout the lattice that are occupied by ordered and disordered solvent molecules.     

Functional mesoporous metal-organic frameworks for the capture of heavy metal ions and size-selective catalysis

By using Zn(4)O(CO(2))(6) as secondary building units (SBUs) and two extended ligands containing amino functional groups, TATAB and BTATB (TATAB = 4,4',4'-s-triazine-1,3,5-triyltri-p-aminobenzoate and BTATB = 4,4',4'-(benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(azanediyl))tribenzoate), two isostructural mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with cavities up to 2.73 nm, designated as PCN-100 and PCN-101 (PCN represents porous coordination network), have been synthesized. N(2) sorption isotherms of both PCN-100 and -101 showed typical type IV behavior, indicating their mesoporous nature. The TATAB ligand that comprises PCN-100 was employed to capture heavy metal ions (Cd(II) and Hg(II)) by constructing complexes within the pores with a possible coordination mode similar to that found in aminopyridinato complexes. This reveals that mesoporous materials such as PCN-100 can be applied in the elimination of heavy metal ions from waste liquid. In addition, both PCNs-100 and -101 exhibit size-selective catalytic activity toward the Knoevenagel condensation reaction.     

Synthetic strategies for chiral metal-organic frameworks

By direct synthesis route, chiral metal-organic frameworks are synthetized with enantiopure ligands or spontaneous resolution; by indirect method, post-synthetic method and chiral inductionare introduced to construct chiral metal-organic frameworks.     

Ligand design for functional metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, are formed by the self-assembly of metallic centres and bridging organic linkers. In this critical review, we review the key advances in the field and discuss the relationship between the nature and structure of specifically designed organic linkers and the properties of the products. Practical examples demonstrate that the physical and chemical properties of the linkers play a decisive role in the properties of novel functional MOFs. We focus on target materials suitable for the storage of hydrogen and methane, sequestration of carbon dioxide, gas separation, heterogeneous catalysis and as magnetic and photoluminescent materials capable of both metal- and ligand-centred emission, ion exchangers and molecular sieves. The advantages of highly active discrete complexes as metal-bearing ligands in the construction of MOFs are also briefly reviewed (128 references).     

Increasing the dimensionality of cryogenic molecular coolers: Gd-based polymers and metal-organic frameworks

The magnetothermal properties of a coordination polymer and a metal-organic framework (MOF) based on Gd(3+) ions are reported. An equally large cryogenic magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is found, irrespective of the dimensionality. This combined with their robustness makes them appealing for widespread magnetic refrigeration applications.     

Functional tolerance in an isoreticular series of highly porous metal-organic frameworks

A series of highly porous University of Michigan Crystalline Material (UMCM-1) type Zn-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized from mono- and bi-functionalized benzenedicarboxylate (BDC) ligands. In total, 16 new functionalized UMCM-1 derivatives were obtained by a combination of pre- and postsynthetic functionalization. Through postsynthetic modification (PSM), amino-halo bifunctional MOFs were converted into amide-halo materials via solid-state acylation reactions. A series of bifunctional MOFs containing Cl, Br, and I groups revealed that PSM conversion is not affected by the size of the halide, only by the steric bulk of the reagent used in these solid-state organic transformations.     

3D coordination metal-organic frameworks of octacyanometalate bridging between Cu4 magnetic units

Magnetic Cu4 clusters with S = 2 are bridged by octacyanometaltate(IV) to form two 3D cluster arrays of metal-organic frameworks. Magnetic investigation shows the ferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) ions and very weak antiferromagnetic interaction between clusters.     

Assembly of the first fullerene-type metal-organic frameworks using a planar five-fold coordination node

Pump up the volume: Slow crystallization of Na[C(5) (CN)(5) ], the unsolvated sodium salt of pentacyanocyclopentadienide, gives the first example of an anionic coordination network based on metal-fullerene units. The structure of this network is closely related to a type?I gas clathrate in which around 66?% of the unit cell volume is occupied by solvent molecules.     

Homochiral metal-organic frameworks for heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis

Homochiral crystallizations of two enantiomeric metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Ce-MDIP1 and Ce-MDIP2 were achieved by using L- or D-BCIP as chiral inductions, respectively, where the chiralities were characterized by solid state CD spectra. Ce-MDIPs exhibit excellent catalytic activity and high enantioselectivity for the asymmetric cyanosilylation of aromatic aldehydes; the homochiral Cd-TBT MOF having L-PYI as a chiral adduct exhibits stereochemical catalysis toward the Aldol reactions.