Mechanical Downsizing of a Gadolinium(III)‐based Metal–Organic Framework for Anticancer Drug Delivery

A Gd^III‐based porous metal–organic framework (MOF), Gd‐pDBI, has been synthesized using fluorescent linker pDBI (pDBI=(1,4‐bis(5‐carboxy‐1H‐benzimidazole‐2‐yl)benzene)), resulting in a three‐dimensional interpenetrated structure with a one‐dimensional open channel (1.9×1.2 nm) filled with hydrogen‐bonded water assemblies. Gd‐pDBI exhibits high thermal stability, porosity, excellent water stability, along with organic‐solvent and mild acid and base stability with retention of crystallinity. Gd‐pDBI was transformed to the nanoscale regime (ca. 140 nm) by mechanical grinding to yield MG‐Gd‐pDBI with excellent water dispersibility (>90 min), maintaining its porosity and crystallinity. In vitro and in vivo studies on MG‐Gd‐pDBI revealed its low blood toxicity and highest drug loading (12 wt %) of anticancer drug doxorubicin in MOFs reported to date with pH‐responsive cancer‐cell‐specific drug release.     

Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Templated Polyelectrolyte Nanocapsules for the Encapsulation and Delivery of Small‐Molecule–Polymer Conjugates

Herein, we report a strategy for exploiting nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nano‐MOFs) as templates for the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly of polyelectrolytes. Because small‐molecule drugs or imaging agents cannot be efficiently encapsulated by polyelectrolyte nanocapsules, we investigated two promising and biocompatible polymers (comb‐shaped polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hyperbranched polyglycerol‐based PEG) for the conjugation of model drugs and imaging agents, which were then encapsulated inside the nano‐MOF‐templated nanocapsules. Furthermore, we also systemically explored the release kinetics of the encapsulated conjugates, and examined how the encapsulation and/or release processes could be controlled by varying the composition and architecture of the polymers. We envision that our nano‐MOFs‐templated nanocapsules, through combining with small‐molecule–polymer conjugates, will represent a new type of delivery system that could open up new opportunities for biomedical applications.     

Construction of Flexible‐on‐Rigid Hybrid‐Phase Metal–Organic Frameworks for Controllable Multi‐Drug Delivery

Multi‐component MOFs contain multiple sets of unique and hierarchical pores, with different functions for different applications, distributed in their inter‐linked domains. Herein, we report the construction of a class of precisely aligned flexible‐on‐rigid hybrid‐phase MOFs with a unique rods‐on‐octahedron morphology. We demonstrated that hybrid‐phase MOFs can be constructed based on two prerequisites: the partially matched topology at the interface of the two frameworks, and the structural flexibility of MOFs with acs topology, which can compensate for the differences in lattice parameters. Furthermore, we achieved domain selective loading of multiple guest molecules into the hybrid‐phase MOF, as observed by scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry elemental mapping. Most importantly, we successfully applied the constructed hybrid‐phase MOF to develop a dual‐drug delivery system with controllable loading ratio and release kinetics.     

Hollow Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Mediated In Situ Architecture of Copper Dendrites for Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to a single product at high current densities and efficiencies remains a challenge. However, the conventional electrode preparation methods, such as drop‐casting, usually suffer from low intrinsic activity. Herein, we report a synthesis strategy for preparing heterogeneous electrocatalyst composed of 3D hierarchical Cu dendrites that derived from an in situ electrosynthesized hollow copper metal–organic framework (MOF), for which the preparation of the Cu‐MOF film took only 5 min. The synthesis strategy preferentially exposes active sites, which favor's the reduction of CO₂ to formate. The current density could be as high as 102.1 mA cm^?2 with a selectivity of 98.2 % in ionic‐liquid‐based electrolyte and a commonly used H‐type cell.     

Time‐Resolved In Situ X‐ray Diffraction Reveals Metal‐Dependent Metal–Organic Framework Formation

Versatility in metal substitution is one of the key aspects of metal‐organic framework (MOF) chemistry, allowing properties to be tuned in a rational way. As a result, it important to understand why MOF syntheses involving different metals arrive at or fail to produce the same topological outcome. Frequently, conditions are tuned by trial‐and‐error to make MOFs with different metal species. We ask: is it possible to adjust synthetic conditions in a systematic way in order to design routes to desired phases? We have used in situ X‐ray powder diffraction to study the solvothermal formation of isostructural M₂(bdc)₂dabco (M=Zn, Co, Ni) pillared‐paddlewheel MOFs in real time. The metal ion strongly influences both kinetics and intermediates observed, leading in some cases to multiphase reaction profiles of unprecedented complexity. The standard models used for MOF crystallization break down in these cases; we show that a simple kinetic model describes the data and provides important chemical insights on phase selection.     

Nanoscale Metal–Organic Framework–Hemoglobin Conjugates

A metal–organic framework (MOF)–protein conjugate, NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti)‐hemoglobin [MIL‐125(Ti)‐Hb], was synthesized by a covalent postmodification strategy. The crystalline structure was maintained after chemical and protein modification. The content of grafted Hb was tuned by the stoichiometric ratio and reached 50 wt % if the mass ratio of MIL‐125(Ti)/Hb was 1:1.25 in the feed. The oxygen‐transporting capacity of grafted Hb was kept, and the P₅₀ (the half O₂ pressure saturated with O₂) and Hill coefficients of the MIL‐125(Ti)‐Hb conjugate were found to be 22.9 mm Hg and 2.35, respectively, which are close to the respective values of free Hb. All the results indicate that the MIL‐125(Ti)‐Hb conjugate could be potentially used as an oxygen carrier.     

In Situ Observation of Successive Crystallizations and Metastable Intermediates in the Formation of Metal–Organic Frameworks

Understanding the driving forces controlling crystallization is essential for the efficient synthesis and design of new materials, particularly metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), where mild solvothermal synthesis often allows access to various phases from the same reagents. Using high‐energy in situ synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction, we monitor the crystallization of lithium tartrate MOFs, observing the successive crystallization and dissolution of three competing phases in one reaction. By determining rate constants and activation energies, we fully quantify the reaction energy landscape, gaining important predictive power for the choice of reaction conditions. Different reaction rates are explained by the structural relationships between the products and the reactants; larger changes in conformation result in higher activation energies. The methods we demonstrate can easily be applied to other materials, opening the door to a greater understanding of crystallization in general.     

BioMOFs: Metal–Organic Frameworks for Biological and Medical Applications

The class of highly porous materials called metal–organic frameworks offer many opportunities for applications across biology and medicine. Their wide range of chemical composition makes toxicologically acceptable formulation possible, and their high level of functionality enables possible applications as imaging agents and as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. The challenges in the area encompass not only the development of new solids but also improvements in the formulation and processing of the materials, including tailoring the morphology and surface chemistry of the frameworks to fit the proposed applications.     

A Novel Hybrid Metal–Organic Framework–Polymeric Monolith for Solid‐Phase Microextraction

This study describes the fabrication of a novel hybrid metal–organic framework– organic polymer (MOF–polymer) for use as a stationary phase in fritless solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) for validating analytical methods. The MOF–polymer was prepared by using ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), butyl methacrylate (BMA), and an imidazolium‐based ionic liquid as porogenic solvent followed by microwave‐assisted polymerization with the addition of 25 % MOF. This novel hybrid MOF–polymer was used to extract penicillin (penicillin G, penicillin V, oxacillin, cloxacillin, nafcillin, dicloxacillin) under different conditions. Quantitative analysis of the extracted penicillin samples using the MOF–organic polymer for SPME was conducted by using capillary electrochromatography (CEC) coupled with UV analysis. The penicillin recovery was 63–96.2 % with high reproducibility, sensitivity, and reusability. The extraction time with the proposed fabricated SPME was only 34 min.     

Multivariate Modulation of the Zr MOF UiO‐66 for Defect‐Controlled Combination Anticancer Drug Delivery

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as leading candidates for nanoscale drug delivery, as a consequence of their high drug capacities, ease of functionality, and the ability to carefully engineer key physical properties. Despite many anticancer treatment regimens consisting of a cocktail of different drugs, examples of delivery of multiple drugs from one MOF are rare, potentially hampered by difficulties in postsynthetic loading of more than one cargo molecule. Herein, we report a new strategy, multivariate modulation, which allows incorporation of up to three drugs in the Zr MOF UiO‐66 by defect‐loading. The drugs are added to one‐pot solvothermal synthesis and are distributed throughout the MOF at defect sites by coordination to the metal clusters. This tight binding comes with retention of crystallinity and porosity, allowing a fourth drug to be postsynthetically loaded into the MOFs to yield nanoparticles loaded with cocktails of drugs that show enhancements in selective anticancer cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells in vitro. We believe that multivariate modulation is a significant advance in the application of MOFs in biomedicine, and anticipate the protocol will also be adopted in other areas of MOF chemistry, to easily produce defective MOFs with arrays of highly functionalised pores for potential application in gas separations and catalysis.     

Drug Release Properties of a Series of Adenine‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks

The drug uptake and release properties of a series of biomolecule‐based metal–organic frameworks (bMOF‐1, bMOF‐4, bMOF‐100, and bMOF‐102) have been studied. The bMOFs were loaded with the small molecule etilefrine hydrochloride and release profiles were collected in both Nanopure water and simulated body fluid (SBF). Each bMOF exhibited an initial burst of drug release at the initial stages of the experiment followed by a gradual release of the remaining drug molecules over time. bMOF‐1 released 50 % of the drug after 15 days and complete release at 80 days in SBF. bMOF‐4 released 50 % of the drug within two days and complete release at 49 days in SBF. bMOF‐100 and bMOF‐102 released 50 % of the drug after 4 h and complete release at 69 and 54 days in SBF, respectively.     

Amorphous Metal–Organic Framework‐Dominated Nanocomposites with Both Compositional and Structural Heterogeneity for Oxygen Evolution

Amorphous metal–organic frameworks (aMOFs) are an emerging family of attractive materials with great application potential, however aMOFs are usually prepared under harsh conditions and aMOFs with complex compositions and structures are rarely reported. In this work, an aMOF‐dominated nanocomposite (aMOF‐NC) with both structural and compositional complexity has been synthesized using a facile approach. A ligand‐competition amorphization mechanism is proposed based on experimental and density functional theory calculation results. The aMOF‐NC possesses a core–shell nanorod@nanosheet architecture, including a Fe‐rich Fe‐Co‐aMOF core and a Co‐rich Fe‐Co‐aMOF shell in the core–shell structured nanorod, and amorphous Co(OH)₂ nanosheets as the outer layer. Benefiting from the structural and compositional heterogeneity, the aMOF‐NC demonstrates an excellent oxygen evolution reaction activity with a low overpotential of 249 mV at 10.0 mA cm^?2 and Tafel slope of 39.5 mV dec^?1.     

Controllable Syntheses of Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks: Encapsulation of LnIII Cations for Tunable Luminescence and Small Drug Molecules for Efficient Delivery

Two porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Zn₃(L)(H₂O)₂] ? 3 DMF ? 7 H₂O ( MOF‐1 ) and [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₆[Ni₃(L)₂(H₂O)₆] ? 3 DMF ? 15 H₂O ( MOF‐2 ), were synthesized solvothermally (H₆L=1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexakis(3‐carboxyphenyloxymethylene)benzene). In MOF ‐ 1 , neighboring Zn^II trimers are linked by the backbones of L ligands to form a fascinating 3D six‐connected framework with the point symbol (4¹².6³) (4¹².6³). In MOF‐2 , eight L ligands bridge six Ni^II atoms to generate a rhombic‐dodecahedral [Ni₆L₈] cage. Each cage is surrounded by eight adjacent ones through sharing of carboxylate groups to yield an unusual 3D porous framework. Encapsulation of Ln^III cations for tunable luminescence and small drug molecules for efficient delivery were investigated in detail for MOF‐1 .     

Flexible and Hierarchical Metal–Organic Framework Composites for High‐Performance Catalysis

The development of porous composite materials is of great significance for their potentially improved performance over those of individual components and extensive applications in separation, energy storage, and heterogeneous catalysis. Now mesoporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with macroporous melamine foam (MF) have been integrated using a one‐pot process, generating a series of MOF/MF composite materials with preserved crystallinity, hierarchical porosity, and increased stability over that of melamine foam. The MOF nanocrystals were threaded by the melamine foam networks, resembling a ball‐and‐stick model overall. The resulting MOF/MF composite materials were employed as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of cholesteryl esters. Combining the advantages of interpenetrative mesoporous and macroporous structures, the MOF/melamine foam composite has higher dispersibility and more accessibility of catalytic sites, exhibiting excellent catalytic performance.     

Alcohol‐Mediated Resistance‐Switching Behavior in Metal–Organic Framework‐Based Electronic Devices

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have drawn increasing attentions as promising candidates for functional devices. Herein, we present MOF films in constructing memory devices with alcohol mediated resistance switching property, where the resistance state is controlled by applying alcohol vapors to achieve multilevel information storage. The ordered packing mode and the hydrogen bonding system of the guest molecules adsorbed in MOF crystals are shown to be the reason for the alcohol mediated electrical switching. This chemically mediated memory device can be a candidate in achieving environment‐responsive devices and exhibits potential applications in wearable information storage systems.     

Coordination‐Driven In Situ Self‐Assembly Strategy for the Preparation of Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid Membranes

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as porous solids of a superior type for the fabrication of membranes. However, it is still challenging to prepare a uniformly dispersed robust MOF hybrid membrane. Herein, we propose a simple and powerful strategy, namely, coordination‐driven in situ self‐assembly, for the fabrication of MOF hybrid membranes. On the basis of the coordination interactions between metal ions and ligands and/or the functional groups of the organic polymer, this method was confirmed to be feasible for the production of a stable membrane with greatly improved MOF‐particle dispersion in and compatibility with the polymer, thus providing outstanding separation ability. As an experimental proof of concept, a high‐quality ZIF‐8/PSS membrane was fabricated that showed excellent performance in the nanofiltration and separation of dyes from water.