Linker Vacancy Engineering of a Robust ftw-type Zr-MOF for Hexane Isomers Separation

Discrimination of physically similar molecules by porous solids represents an important yet challenging task in industrially relevant chemical separations. Precisely controlled pore dimension and/or tailored pore surface functionality are crucial to achieve high-efficiency separation. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates for these challenging separations in light of their structural diversity as well as highly adjustable pore dimension/functionality. We report here a microporous, ftw -type Zr-based MOF structure, HIAM-410 (HIAM=Hoffmann Institute of Advanced Materials), built on hexanuclear Zr₆ cluster and pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetracarboxylate (ptc⁴⁻). Its crystallographic structure has been determined using continuous rotation electron diffraction (cRED) technique combined with Rietveld refinement against powder X-ray diffraction data, aided by low-dose high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging. The compound features exceptional framework stability that is comparable to the prototype MOF UiO-66. Interestingly, the linker vacancies in the pristine MOF structure could be partially restored by post-synthetic linker insertion. Its separation capability of hexane isomers is enhanced substantially upon the linker vacancy engineering. The restored structure exhibits efficient splitting of monobranched and dibranched hexane isomers at both room temperature and industrially relevant temperature.     

Expanding Linker Dimensionality in Metal-organic Frameworks for sub-Ångstrom Pore Control for Separation Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with high surface areas, which are acquiring rapid attention on an exponential basis. A significant characteristic of MOFs is their ability to act as adsorbents to selectively separate component mixtures of similar size, thereby addressing the technological need for an alternative approach to conventional distillation methods. Recently, MOFs comprising a 3-Dimensional (3D) linker have shown outstanding capabilities for difficult separations compared to the parent 2-Dimensional (2D) analogue. 3D-linkers with a polycyclic core are underrepresented in the MOF database due to the widespread preferred use of 2D-linkers and the misconceived high-cost of 3D linkers. We summarize the recent research of 3D-linker MOFs and highlight their beneficial employment for selective gas and hydrocarbon adsorption and separation. Furthermore, we outline forecasts in this area to create a platform for widespread adoption of 3D-linkers in MOF synthesis.     

基于金属有机骨架材料固定相的气相色谱分离应用

金属有机骨架材料(MOFs)是一类由有机配体和金属离子(或金属簇)自组装形成的新型多功能材料。MOFs具有孔隙度高、比表面积大、孔径可调、化学和热稳定性高等特点,被广泛应用于吸附、分离、催化等多个领域。近年来,MOFs作为新型气相色谱固定相用于分离异构体受到了广泛关注。与传统无机多孔材料相比,MOFs在结构和功能上展现出高度的可调性,通过合理地选择配体和金属中心,可以设计合成具有不同孔道大小和孔道环境的MOFs,从而分别从热力学和动力学角度优化色谱分离效果,有效提高分离选择性。该文结合MOFs的结构,讨论了MOFs气相色谱固定相分离不同类型分析物的分离机理。分离机理主要包括MOFs孔道的分子筛效应或形状选择性,MOFs不饱和的金属位点与分析物中不同的官能团之间产生的相互作用,分析物与MOFs孔道之间产生的不同范德华力、π-π相互作用和氢键相互作用。此外,MOFs的手性分离可能主要依赖于外消旋体与手性MOFs中手性活性位点之间的相互作用。该文也对不同分析目标物进行了归类,综述了多种MOFs气相色谱固定相对烷烃、二甲苯异构体和乙基甲苯、外消旋体、含氧有机物、环境有机污染物的气相色谱分离效果。最后,该文还对MOFs在该领域的应用进行了总结与展望,旨在为MOFs气相色谱高效分离的研究提供参考。     

Chiral metal–organic framework used as stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received great attention as novel media in separation sciences because of their fascinating structures and unusual properties. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no attempt to utilize chiral MOFs as stationary phases in capillary electrochromatography (CEC). In this study, a homochiral helical MOF [Zn₂(D-Cam)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (D-Cam = D-(+)-camphoric acid, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) was explored as the chiral stationary phase in open tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) for separation of chiral compounds and isomers. The MOFs coated column has been developed using a simple procedure via MOFs post-coated on the sodium silicate layer. The baseline separations of flavanone and praziquantel were achieved on the MOFs coated column with high resolution of more than 2.10. The influences of pH, organic modifier content and buffer concentration on separation were investigated. Besides, the separations of isomers (nitrophenols and ionones) were evaluated. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the retention time of run-to-run, day-to-day and column-to-column were 1.04%, 2.16% and 3.07%, respectively. The results demonstrated that chiral MOFs are promising for enantioseparation in CEC.     

In situ fabrication of microporous organic network coated capillary column for high resolution gas chromatographic separation of hydrocarbons

Microporous organic networks (MONs) are a new class of porous materials synthesized via Sonogashira coupling reactions between organic building blocks. Here we report an in situ synthesis approach to fabricate MONs coated capillary column for high resolution GC separation of hydrocarbons. The McReynolds constant evaluation reveals the MONs coated capillary is a non‐polar column. The MONs coated capillary column shows good resolution for GC separation of diverse important industrial hydrocarbons such as linear and branched alkanes, alkylbenzenes, pinene isomers, ethylbenzene and styrene, cyclohexane and benzene. The MONs coated capillary column gave a high column efficiency of 1542 plates per meter for hexane and good precision for replicate separations of the selected hydrocarbons with the RSDs of 0.2–0.3, 1.5–3.1, and 1.9–3.3% for retention time, peak height and peak area, respectively. The MONs coated capillary also offered better resolution than commercial Inert Cap‐1 and Inert Cap‐5 capillary columns for hexane and heptane isomers. These results reveal the potential of MONs as novel stationary phases in GC.     

Metal-Organic Frameworks for C6 Alkane Separation

The separation of alkane isomers is an important yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry. Being a crucial step to produce premium gasoline components as well as optimum ethylene feed, the current industrial separation by distillation is extremely energy intensive. Adsorptive separation based on zeolite is limited by insufficient adsorption capacity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold enormous promise as alternative adsorbents due to their diverse structural tunability and exceptional porosity. Precise control of their pore geometry/dimensions has led to superior performance. In this minireview, we highlight the recent progresses in developing MOFs for the separation of C6 alkane isomers. Representative MOFs are reviewed based on their separation mechanisms. Emphasis is put on the material design rationale for achieving optimal separation capability. Finally, we briefly discuss the existing challenges, possible solutions, and future directions of this important field.     

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.     

Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) Compounds: Photocatalysts for Redox Reactions and Solar Fuel Production

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials formed from bi‐ or multipodal organic linkers and transition‐metal nodes. Some MOFs have high structural stability, combined with large flexibility in design and post‐synthetic modification. MOFs can be photoresponsive through light absorption by the organic linker or the metal oxide nodes. Photoexcitation of the light absorbing units in MOFs often generates a ligand‐to‐metal charge‐separation state that can result in photocatalytic activity. In this Review we discuss the advantages and uniqueness that MOFs offer in photocatalysis. We present the best practices to determine photocatalytic activity in MOFs and for the deposition of co‐catalysts. In particular we give examples showing the photocatalytic activity of MOFs in H₂ evolution, CO₂ reduction, photooxygenation, and photoreduction.     

金属有机骨架及其复合材料在分离领域中的应用进展

金属有机骨架（MOFs）是一类由无机金属离子与有机配体自组装形成的新型有机-无机杂化多孔材料,因具有比表面积超高、结构多样、热稳定性良好、孔道尺寸和性质可调等优势,在分离领域表现出重要的应用价值。然而,采用传统方法制备的MOFs多为粒径在微米或亚微米尺度的晶体,且颗粒形貌不规则,因此限制了MOFs在样品前处理和色谱固定相等领域的应用和发展。构建基于MOFs的复合材料是弥补MOFs应用缺陷的一项有效措施,有望在保留MOFs优越的分离特性的同时,引入基体材料的特定性能。该文简要综述了近年来MOFs及其复合材料在吸附、样品前处理和色谱固定相等分离领域中的应用进展,并对MOFs在分离科学中的应用前景做出展望。     

Metal‐organic framework ZIF‐8 nanocrystals as pseudostationary phase for capillary electrokinetic chromatography

The outstanding properties such as large surface area, diverse structure, and accessible tunnels and cages make metal organic frameworks (MOFs) attractive as novel separation media in separation sciences. However, the utilization of MOFs in EKC has not been reported before. Here we show the exploration of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8), one of famous MOFs, as the pseudostationary phase (PSP) in EKC. ZIF‐8 nanocrystals were used as the PSP through dispersing in the running buffer (20 mM phosphate solution containing a 1% v/v methanol (pH 9.2)) to enhance the separation of the phenolic isomers (p‐benzenediol, m‐benzenediol, o‐benzenediol, m‐nitrophenol, p‐nitrophenol, and o‐nitrophenol). ZIF‐8 nanocrystals in the running buffer were negatively charged, and interacted with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of the analytes, and thus greatly improved the separation of the phenolic isomers. Inclusion of 200 mg L?¹ ZIF‐8 in the running buffer as the background electrolyte gave a baseline separation of the phenolic isomers within 4 min. The relative standard deviations for five replicate separations of the phenolic isomers were 0.2–1.1% for migration time and 4.5–9.7% for peak area. The limits of detection varied from 0.44 to 2.0 mg L?¹. The results show that nanosized MOFs are promising for application in EKC.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of position isomers using metal-organic framework MIL-53(Al) as the stationary phase

Metal-organic framework MIL-53(Al) was explored as the stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of position isomers using a binary and/or polar mobile phase. Baseline separations of xylene, dichlorobenzene, chlorotoluene and nitrophenol isomers were achieved on the slurry-packed MIL-53(Al) column with high resolution and good precision. The effects of mobile phase composition, injected sample mass and temperature were investigated. The separation of xylene, dichlorobenzene, chlorotoluene and nitrophenol isomers on MIL-53(Al) were controlled by entropy change.     

Separation of Acetylene from Carbon Dioxide and Ethylene by a Water‐Stable Microporous Metal–Organic Framework with Aligned Imidazolium Groups inside the Channels

Separation of acetylene from carbon dioxide and ethylene is challenging in view of their similar sizes and physical properties. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in general are strong candidates for these separations owing to the presence of functional pore surfaces that can selectively capture a specific target molecule. Here, we report a novel 3D microporous cationic framework named JCM‐1 . This structure possesses imidazolium functional groups on the pore surfaces and pyrazolate as a metal binding group, which is well known to form strong metal‐to‐ligand bonds. The selective sorption of acetylene over carbon dioxide and ethylene in JCM‐1 was successfully demonstrated by equilibrium gas adsorption analysis as well as dynamic breakthrough measurement. Furthermore, its excellent hydrolytic stability makes the separation processes highly recyclable without a substantial loss in acetylene uptake capacity.     

Light Hydrocarbon Separations Using Porous Organic Framework Materials

Light hydrocarbons (C₁–C₃) are used as basic energy feedstocks and as commodity organic compounds for the production of many industrially necessary chemicals. Due to the nature of the raw materials and production processes, light hydrocarbons are generated as mixtures, but the high-purity single-component products are of vital importance to the petrochemical industry. Consequently, the separation of these C₁–C₃ products is a crucial industrial procedure that comprises a significant share of the total global energy consumption per year. As a complement to traditional separation methods (distillation, partial hydrogenation, etc.), adsorptive separations using porous solids have received widespread attention due to their lower energy costs and higher efficiency. Extensive research has been devoted to the use of porous materials such as zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as solid adsorbents for these key separations, owing to the high porosity, tunable pore structures, and unsaturated metal sites present in these materials. Recently, porous organic framework (POF) materials composed of organic building blocks linked by covalent bonds have also shown excellent properties in light hydrocarbon adsorption and separation, sparking interest in the use of these materials as adsorbents in separation processes. This Minireview summarizes the recent advances in the use of POFs for light hydrocarbon separations, including the separation of mixtures of methane/ethane, methane/propane, ethylene/ethane, acetylene/ethylene, and propylene/propane, while highlighting the relationships between the structural features of these materials and their separation performances. Finally, the difficulties, challenges, and opportunities associated with leveraging POFs for light hydrocarbon separations are discussed to conclude the review.     

3D metal-organic frameworks based on elongated tetracarboxylate building blocks for hydrogen storage

Two 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a new biphenol-derived tetracarboxylate linker and Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal-connecting points were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies. The two isostructural MOFs exhibit distorted PtS network topology and show markedly different framework stability. The porosity and hydrogen uptake of the frameworks were determined by gas adsorption experiments.     

手性金属-有机骨架材料[Mn3（HCOO）4（D-Cam）]n用于气相色谱的分离性能

以具有单一手性链的三维手性金属-有机骨架材料[Mn₃（HCOO）₄（D-Cam）] _n作为固定相,制备了毛细管手性柱 A（30 m×250 μm i.d.）和柱 B（5 m×75 μm i.d.）,用于气相色谱分离. 分别采用扫描电子显微镜和热重分析考察了固定相的涂敷性能和热稳定性. 选用一些外消旋体、 正构烷烃和位置异构体作为测试物用柱B进行了分离,结果表明该固定相对这些有机物具有较好的分离能力.     

Two‐Dimensional Microporous Material‐based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Gas Separation

Since the discovery of graphene and its derivatives, the development and application of two‐dimensional (2D) materials have attracted enormous attention. 2D microporous materials, such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) and so on, hold great potential to be used in gas separation membranes because of their high aspect ratio and homogeneously distributed nanometer pores, which are beneficial for improving gas permeability and selectivity. This review briefly summarizes the recent design and fabrication of 2D microporous materials, as well as their applications in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separation. The enhanced separation performances of the membranes and their long‐term stability are also introduced. Challenges and the latest development of newly synthesized 2D microporous materials are finally discussed to foresee the potential opportunities for 2D microporous material‐based MMMs.     

3D Chiral Nanoporous Metal–Organic Framework for Chromatographic Separation in GC

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received great attention as stationary phases in chromatographic separation technology because of their unusual properties such as high surface areas, fascinating structures, and excellent chemical and thermal stability. A chiral MOF, [(CH₃)₂NH₂][Cd(bpdc)_1.5]·2DMA, possesses a unique chiral nanotube motif built from the covalent linkage of homochiral nanotubes made up of octuple helices. Here, we report the fabrication of a three-dimensional (3D) chiral nanoporous MOF-coated capillary column (2 m long × 75 μm i.d.) for capillary gas chromatographic separation of racemates, Grob’s test mixture, normal alkanes, normal alcohols, and isomers. The MOF-coated capillary column offered good separation efficiency (2,180 plates m^?1), which was measured using n-dodecane as the analyte at 120 °C. The relative standard deviations of repeatability for citronellal on MOF-coated capillary column were 0.23 and 2.1 % for retention time and peak area, respectively. The results demonstrated that the capillary column exhibited excellent selectivity and separation ability toward Grob’s test mixture, normal alkanes, normal alcohols and isomers, especially for racemates.     

Molecular tectonics of mixed-ligand metal-organic frameworks: positional isomeric effect, metal-directed assembly, and structural diversification

A series of nine mixed-ligand metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been prepared by the combination of a bent dipyridyl linker 4-amino-3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (bpt) and three benzenedicarboxylate isomers (pa = phthalate, ip = isophthalate, and tp = terephthalate), respectively, with different metal ions such as CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII, and CdII. The framework structures of these neutral polymeric complexes have been determined by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction technique. Structural analysis reveals that the benzenedicarboxylate isomers display versatile coordination modes to manage the metal ions to form 1-D chain or ribbon arrays, which are further extended via the exo-bidentate bpt connectors to give rise to a variety of coordination networks, such as a simple (4,4) layer, 2-D double layer with decorated (4,4) topology, 2-D layer with decorated (3,6) topology, 2-D bilayer with 82.10 topology (2-fold interpenetration), 3-D polythreaded architecture (1-D + 2-D), and 2-fold interpenetrating porous lattice of (4,4) layers. The accessorial secondary interactions such as hydrogen bonding and/or aromatic stacking are also helpful for the extension and stabilization of the final supramolecular aggregates. This work evidently indicates that the isomeric effect of the anionic benzenedicarboxylate is significant in the construction of these network structures, which are also well regulated by the metal centers. The ZnII and CdII MOFs exhibit strong solid-state luminescence emissions at room temperature, which originate differently from intraligand transition or ligand-to-metal charge transfer. Thermal stability of these crystalline materials has been explored by thermogravimetric analysis of mass loss. The 3-D host frameworks of MOFs 8 and 9 show similar porous cavities, and their desorption/adsorption behaviors of guest solvents have also been investigated.     

手性金属有机骨架材料的合成及其在对映异构体选择性分离中的应用

手性现象在自然界中广泛存在,手性分离在药物研发、农用化学、药理学、环境科学和生物学等诸多领域具有重要意义。手性金属有机骨架化合物材料(MOFs)是一类具有特殊拓扑结构和可设计的孔道结构的新型多孔材料,加之其比表面积高、孔隙率大、热稳定性良好和溶剂耐受性好等特性,使得MOFs在分析化学领域的应用与研究日益深入。本文简要综述了手性MOFs的合成方法,着重讨论了手性MOFs在对映异构体选择性分离方面的应用及相关机理,最后对该类材料的发展前景做了展望。     

Mixed‐Matrix Membranes

Research into extended porous materials such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous organic frameworks (POFs), as well as the analogous metal‐organic polyhedra (MOPs) and porous organic cages (POCs), has blossomed over the last decade. Given their chemical and structural variability and notable porosity, MOFs have been proposed as adsorbents for industrial gas separations and also as promising filler components for high‐performance mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs). Research in this area has focused on enhancing the chemical compatibility of the MOF and polymer phases by judiciously functionalizing the organic linkers of the MOF, modifying the MOF surface chemistry, and, more recently, exploring how particle size, morphology, and distribution enhance separation performance. Other filler materials, including POFs, MOPs, and POCs, are also being explored as additives for MMMs and have shown remarkable anti‐aging performance and excellent chemical compatibility with commercially available polymers. This Review briefly outlines the state‐of‐the‐art in MOF‐MMM fabrication, and the more recent use of POFs and molecular additives.