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.     

Functional tetrametallic linker modules for coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks

The new biphenol-based tetranucleating ligand, 2,2',6,6'-tetrakis(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)-4,4'-biphenolate, dbpbp2-, comprises two linearly disposed phenolato-hinged dinucleating heptadentate units, each of which offer one O and three N donors to a total of four metal ions. The ligand has been isolated as the zinc chloride complex [Zn4(dbpbp)Cl4]2+, and the ZnII ions have been completely or partially substituted by CuII, FeIII, CoII, and CoIII in metathesis reactions. Similarly, the chloride ligands of [Zn4(dbpbp)Cl4]2+ have been exchanged for solvent molecules (acetonitrile and/or water) and bridging carboxylate ligands. The resulting complexes have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ESI mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and EPR spectroscopy. The structures containing [M4(dbpbp)Cl4]2+ with M = ZnII or CuII exhibit 2-D polymeric honeycomb sheets in which intermolecular M...Cl interactions bridge between adjacent [M4(dbpbp)Cl4]2+ cations. Two mixed-metal tetrabenzoate complexes [M4(dbpbp)(O2CC6H5)4]2+/3+ have also been prepared, namely a stoichiometric CuII2ZnII2 complex and a nonstoichiometric FeIII/ZnII system. In the latter case, ESI-MS identifies FeZn3, Fe2Zn2, and Zn4 species, and X-ray crystallography suggests an average composition of Fe0.8Zn3.2. Preparation of a CoII4 complex by metathesis was considerably more difficult than preparation of [Cu4(dbpbp)Cl4]2+, requiring both a large excess of the cobalt source and the presence of auxiliary benzoate. In the presence of 2 equiv of benzoate per starting [Zn4(dbpbp)Cl4]2+ unit and excess CoII, dioxygen binds as peroxide at each end of the molecule to give the CoIII4 complex [Co4(dbpbp)(O2)2(O2CC6H5)2]4+. This latter complex, together with new tetra- and hexametallic benzenedicarboxylato- and benzenetricarboxylato-bridged complexes of dinuclear [Co2(O2)(bpbp)]3+ units (bpbp- = 2,6-bis(N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)-4-tert-butyl-phenolate), is a module for potential construction of 1-D and 2-D coordination polymers/metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) capable of reversible O2 binding.     

Selective incorporation of functional dicarboxylates into zinc metal-organic frameworks

Zinc(II) nitrate reacts with different ratios of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H(2)bdc) and 2-halo-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H(2)bdc-X, X = Br or I) to give [Zn(4)O(bdc)(3-x)(bdc-X)(x)], in which preferential incorporation of bdc is observed. The selective incorporation is related to crystal growth rates, and the proportion of incorporated bdc-X rises with increasing reaction time.     

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.     

Luminescent zinc and cadmium metal-organic frameworks based on tetrazole ligands

Three metal-organic frameworks with 1D zigzag chain [Zn(dte)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O (1), 2D double layer [Cd(dtb)(H₂O)(phen)] (2), 3D network [Zn(dte)(phen)] (3) based on tetrazole-based ligands (H₂dtb = 1,3-dis(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene, H₂dte = 1,4-ditetrazolylethylene, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized. All the compounds exhibit unusual strong luminescence at room temperature in the solid state and can be potentially used as luminescent materials.     

A highly porous interpenetrated metal-organic framework from the use of a novel nanosized organic linker

The initial use of a novel elongated tricarboxylic acid H(3)hmpib in metal-organic framework (MOF) chemistry resulted in a [Zn(4)O(hmpib)(2)] MOF (UCY-1) with pyrite topology. The compound displays a remarkably high internal surface area despite its double-interpenetrated structure as well as high CO(2) uptake and selective adsorption for it over CH(4).     

Influence of connectivity and porosity on ligand-based luminescence in zinc metal-organic frameworks

Applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) require close correlation between their structure and function. We describe the preparation and characterization of two zinc MOFs based on a flexible and emissive linker molecule, stilbene, which retains its luminescence within these solid materials. Reaction of trans-4,4'-stilbene dicarboxylic acid and zinc nitrate in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) yielded a dense 2-D network, 1, featuring zinc in both octahedral and tetrahedral coordination environments connected by trans-stilbene links. Similar reaction in N,N-diethylformamide (DEF) at higher temperatures resulted in a porous, 3-D framework structure, 2. This framework consists of two interpenetrating cubic lattices, each featuring basic zinc carboxylate vertices joined by trans-stilbene, analogous to the isoreticular MOF (IRMOF) series. We demonstrate that the optical properties of both 1 and 2 correlate with the local ligand environments observed in the crystal structures. Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements reveal that the stilbene linkers in the dense structure 1 exhibit a small degree of interchromophore coupling. In contrast, the stilbenoid units in 2 display very little interaction in this low-density 3-D framework, with excitation and emission spectra characteristic of monomeric stilbenes, similar to the dicarboxylic acid in dilute solution. In both cases, the rigidity of the stilbene linker increases upon coordination to the inorganic units through inhibition of torsion about the central ethylene bond, resulting in luminescent crystals with increased emission lifetimes compared to solutions of trans-stilbene. The emission spectrum of 2 is found to depend on the nature of the incorporated solvent molecules, suggesting use of this or related materials in sensor applications.     

A novel core-shell molecularly imprinted polymer based on metal-organic frameworks as a matrix

A novel core-shell molecularly imprinted polymer is firstly prepared by coating the MIP shell onto the surface of the metal-organic framework, which shows a homogeneous polymer film, cubic shape, thermal stability, and exhibits a higher specific surface area and a faster transfer-mass speed compared with that of the bulk MIP.     

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.     

Two- and three-fold interpenetrated metal-organic frameworks from one-pot crystallization

Two different three-dimensional interpenetrating metal-organic frameworks, {[Co(bpe)(muco)](DMF)(H 2O)} n ( 1) and {[Co(bpe)(muco)(H 2O) 2].4(H 2O)} n ( 2) [bpe = 4,4'-bipyridyl ethylene, H 2-muco = trans,trans-muconic acid, DMF = dimethyl formamide] have been co-crystallized in one-pot reaction. This work offers some insights into the intricacy of designing coordination polymers with variable interpenetration, showing new modes of entanglements. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the compound 1 has a highly distorted cubic (alpha-Po) net with 2-fold interpenetrated structures while compound 2 displays a 3-fold interpenetrating net-work with an unprecedented 6 (6) topology which is different from other well-known 4-connected nets such as diamond or hexagonal diamond. Despite varied interpenetrations, both compounds retain open channels, filled with aggregated guest solvent molecules. As far as the ratios of Co/muco/bpe are concerned, these two complexes can be considered as supramolecular isomers. Formation of a particular isomer in major quantity can be obtained by varying the countercation of the muconate salt in different solvents, by layering, and by changing the order of the components.     

Microporous metal-organic frameworks formed in a stepwise manner from luminescent building blocks

A series of trivalent lanthanides (Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) have been complexed to the dianionic ligand, 4,4'-disulfo-2,2'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide, L, in a 3:1 ratio to form trianionic complex building blocks. These units were then cross-linked into a network solid by addition of BaCl2 to form mixed-metal networks of formula {Ba2(H2O)4[LnL3(H2O)2](H2O)nCl}infinity, Ln = Sm3+ (1), Eu3+ (2), Gd3+ (3), Tb3+ (4), Dy3+ (5). The networks were isostructural and contained open channels which readily absorbed and desorbed water accompanied by a spongelike shrinkage and expansion of the host. CO2 sorption measurements confirmed microporosity giving a DR surface area of 718 m2/gm and an average pore size of 6.4 A. Ligand L sensitized all the lanthanide ions with the exception of Gd3+. Studying the series of Ln complexes allowed the determination of the triplet state energy of L which is itself a new ligand for sensitization purposes. The luminescent properties of the lanthanide building blocks were retained in the porous network solid. From the luminescence data, it was possible to attribute the spongelike properties of the network to the Ba2+ coordination sphere rather than the Ln3+ center. Networks were characterized by X-ray crystallography, PXRD, DSC/TGA, water vapor and gas sorption, and luminescence spectroscopy.     

Porous carbon materials with a controllable surface area synthesized from metal-organic frameworks

Carbonization of zinc containing metal-organic frameworks produces porous carbon materials with an interesting linear relationship between the Zn/C ratio of the precursors and the surface area of the resulting carbon materials.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and luminescence of four novel metal-organic frameworks

Using the principle of crystal engineering, four novel metal-organic coordination polymers, {[Cd₁(nic)2(H₂O)]2[Cd₂(nic)2(H₂O)2]}_n (1), [Cd₂(fma)2(phen)2]_n (2), [Cd(fma)(bipy)(H₂O)]_n (3) and [Zn(mal)(bipy)·3H₂O]_n (4) (nic=nicotinate, fma=fumarate, mal=malate, phen=phenanthroline, bipy=2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of M(CH₃COO)2·2H₂O (M=Zn, Cd) with nicotinic acid, fumaric acid and cooperative L (L=phen, bipy), respectively. X-ray analysis reveals that complex 1 possesses an unprecedented two-dimensional topology structure constructed from three-ply-like layers, complex 2 is an infinite 2D undulating network, complex 3 is a 1D zigzag chain and complex 4 belongs to a 1D chain. The results indicate a transformation of fumarate into malate during the course of hydrothermal treatment of complex 4. The photophysical properties have been investigated with luminescent excitation and emission spectra.     

Flexible porous metal-organic frameworks for a controlled drug delivery

Flexible nanoporous chromium or iron terephtalates (BDC) MIL-53(Cr, Fe) or M(OH)[BDC] have been used as matrices for the adsorption and in vitro drug delivery of Ibuprofen (or alpha- p-isobutylphenylpropionic acid). Both MIL-53(Cr) and MIL-53(Fe) solids adsorb around 20 wt % of Ibuprofen (Ibuprofen/dehydrated MIL-53 molar ratio = 0.22(1)), indicating that the amount of inserted drug does not depend on the metal (Cr, Fe) constitutive of the hybrid framework. Structural and spectroscopic characterizations are provided for the solid filled with Ibuprofen. In each case, the very slow and complete delivery of Ibuprofen was achieved under physiological conditions after 3 weeks with a predictable zero-order kinetics, which highlights the unique properties of flexible hybrid solids for adapting their pore opening to optimize the drug-matrix interactions.     

Adsorptive removal of nitrogen-containing compounds from fuel by metal-organic frameworks

The adsorptive denitrogenation from fuels over three metal-organic frameworks(MIL-96(Al),MIL-53(Al)and MIL-101(Cr))was studied by batch adsorption experiments.Four nitrogen-containing compounds(NCCs)pyridine,pyrrole,quinoline and indole were used as model NCCs in fuels to study the adsorption mechanism.The physicochemical properties of the adsorbents were characterized by XRD,N2physical adsorption,FT-IR spectrum and Hammett indicator method.The metal-organic frameworks(MOFs),especially the MIL-101(Cr)containing Lewis acid sites as well as high specific surface area,can adsorb large quantities of NCCs from fuels.In addition,the adsorptive capacity over MIL-101(Cr)will be different for NCCs with different basicity.The stronger basicity of the NCC is,the more it can be absorbed over MIL-101(Cr).Furthermore,pore size and shape also affect the adsorption capacity for a given adsorbate,which can be proved by the adsorption over MIL-53(Al)and MIL-96(Al).The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir equation can be used to describe kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process,respectively.Finally,the regeneration of the used adsorbent has been conducted successfully by just washing it with ethanol.     

Templated metal-organic frameworks: synthesis, structures, thermal properties and solid-state transformation of two novel calcium-adipate frameworks

Two novel calcium-adipate framework materials have been synthesized hydrothermally. GWMOF-7 ([Ca(C6H8O4)(H2O)2]*(C10H8N2)) and GWMOF-8 ([Ca(C6H8O4)(H2O)2]*(C12H12N2)) both formed three-dimensional structures and were characterized with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Thermal properties were also studied with thermogravimetric analysis, and show that these structures undergo a solid-state transformation into a denser three-dimensional framework.     

Transport into metal-organic frameworks from solution is not purely diffusive

Chemistry in motion: a combination of confocal microscopy and reaction-diffusion modeling provided a powerful toolkit with which solution transport into metal-organic framework crystals was studied. Commonly used pure diffusion models are insufficient to describe this process and, instead, it is necessary to account for the interactions of the guest molecules and the MOF scaffold.