Engineering Homochiral Metal–Organic Frameworks by Spatially Separating 1D Chiral Metal–Peptide Ladders: Tuning the Pore Size for Enantioselective Adsorption

The reaction of the chiral dipeptide glycyl‐L(S)‐glutamate with Co^II ions produces chiral ladders that can be used as rigid 1D building units. Spatial separation of these building units with linkers of different lengths allows the engineering of homochiral porous MOFs with enhanced pore sizes, pore volumes, and surface areas. This strategy enables the synthesis of a family of isoreticular MOFs, in which the pore size dictates the enantioselective adsorption of chiral molecules (in terms of their size and enantiomeric excess).     

Size‐Dependent Enantioselective Adsorption of Racemic Molecules through Homochiral Metal–Organic Frameworks Embedding Helicity

Homochiral metal–organic frameworks (HMOFs) are efficient materials for enantioselective adsorption. However, the combination of size selectivity and enantioselectivity is still a major challenge in the field of HMOFs. Herein, two enantiomorphic HMOFs built from predesigned proline‐derived ligands are presented. Both of them show multiple homochiral features: they contain four different helical chains and three types of helical channels. Due to the size effect of the helical channels, each HMOF can enantioselectively adsorb methyl lactate with high ee. The results reveal a new approach toward size‐dependent enantioselective separation of racemic compounds by using HMOFs built from inexpensive proline derivatives.     

Chiral Recognition and Separation by Chirality‐Enriched Metal–Organic Frameworks

Endowed with chiral channels and pores, chiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly useful; however, their synthesis remains a challenge given that most chiral building blocks are expensive. Although MOFs with induced chirality have been reported to avoid this shortcoming, no study providing evidence for the ee value of such MOFs has yet been reported. We herein describe the first study on the efficiency of chiral induction in MOFs using inexpensive achiral building blocks and fully recoverable chiral dopants to control the handedness of racemic MOFs. This method yielded chirality‐enriched MOFs with accessible pores. The ability of the materials to form host–guest complexes was probed with enantiomers of varying size and coordination and in solvents with varying polarity. Furthermore, mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of chirality‐enriched MOF particles dispersed in a polymer matrix demonstrated a new route for chiral separation.     

Metal–Covalent Organic Frameworks (MCOFs): A Bridge Between Metal–Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks

Many sophisticated chemical and physical properties of porous materials strongly rely on the presence of the metal ions within the structures. Whereas homogeneous distribution of metals is conveniently realized in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the limited stability potentially restricts their practical implementation. From that perspective, the development of metal–covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs) may address these shortcomings by incorporating active metal species atop highly stable COF backbones. This Minireview highlights examples of MCOFs that tackle important issues from their design, synthesis, characterization to cutting‐edge applications.     

Ultrathin Chiral Metal–Organic‐Framework Nanosheets for Efficient Enantioselective Separation

Chiral metal–organic framework (CMOF) nanosheets only a few layers thick remain a virgin land waiting for exploration. Herein, the first examples of ultrathin CMOF nanosheets are prepared by the confinement growth of two‐dimensional (2D) chiral layers, which are assembled by helical metal–organic chains within microemulsion. This convenient and easily scaled up inverse microemulsion method gives a series of 2D CMOF nanosheets composed of variable metal nodes or chiral ligands. More significantly, thanks to the exceptionally large number of chiral sites exposed on surfaces, the as‐obtained CMOF nanosheets exhibit much higher enantioselectivity in chiral separation compared with their bulk counterparts.     

Direct and Post‐Synthesis Incorporation of Chiral Metallosalen Catalysts into Metal–Organic Frameworks for Asymmetric Organic Transformations

Two chiral porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) were constructed from [VO(salen)]‐derived dicarboxylate and dipyridine bridging ligands. After oxidation of V^IV to V^V, they were found to be highly effective, recyclable, and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the asymmetric cyanosilylation of aldehydes with up to 95 % ee. Solvent‐assisted linker exchange (SALE) treatment of the pillared‐layer MOF with [Cr(salen)Cl]‐ or [Al(salen)Cl]‐derived dipyridine ligands led to the formation of mixed‐linker metallosalen‐based frameworks and incorporation of [Cr(salen)] enabled its use as a heterogeneous catalyst in the asymmetric epoxide ring‐opening reaction.     

Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks for Gas Separation

Microporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are comparatively new porous materials. Because the pores within such MOFs can be readily tuned through the interplay of both metal‐containing clusters and organic linkers to induce their size‐selective sieving effects, while the pore surfaces can be straightforwardly functionalized to enforce their different interactions with gas molecules, MOF materials are very promising for gas separation. Furthermore, the high porosities of such materials can enable microporous MOFs with optimized gas separation selectivity and capacity to be targeted. This Focus Review highlights recent significant advances in microporous MOFs for gas separation.     

Shaping Microcrystals of Metal–Organic Frameworks by Reaction–Diffusion

When components of a metal–organic framework (MOF) and a crystal growth modulator diffuse through a gel medium, they can form arrays of regularly‐spaced precipitation bands containing MOF crystals of different morphologies. With time, slow variations in the local concentrations of the growth modulator cause the crystals to change their shapes, ultimately resulting in unusual concave microcrystallites not available via solution‐based methods. The reaction–diffusion and periodic precipitation phenomena 1) extend to various types of MOFs and also MOPs (metal–organic polyhedra), and 2) can be multiplexed to realize within one gel multiple growth conditions, in effect leading to various crystalline phases or polycrystalline formations.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks for Oxygen Storage

We present a systematic study of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the storage of oxygen. The study starts with grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations on a suite of 10 000 MOFs for the adsorption of oxygen. From these data, the MOFs were down selected to the prime candidates of HKUST‐1 (Cu‐BTC) and NU‐125, both with coordinatively unsaturated Cu sites. Oxygen isotherms up to 30 bar were measured at multiple temperatures to determine the isosteric heat of adsorption for oxygen on each MOF by fitting to a Toth isotherm model. High pressure (up to 140 bar) oxygen isotherms were measured for HKUST‐1 and NU‐125 to determine the working capacity of each MOF. Compared to the zeolite NaX and Norit activated carbon, NU‐125 has an increased excess capacity for oxygen of 237 % and 98 %, respectively. These materials could ultimately prove useful for oxygen storage in medical, military, and aerospace applications.     

Chiral Metal–Organic Framework Hollow Nanospheres for High‐Efficiency Enantiomer Separation

Chiral ZIF‐8 hollow nanospheres with d ‐histidine as part of chiral ligands (denoted as H‐d ‐his‐ZIF‐8) were prepared for separation of (±)‐amine acids. Compared to bulk d ‐his‐ZIF‐8 without a hollow cavity, the prepared H‐d ‐his‐ZIF‐8 showed 15 times higher separation capacity and higher ee values of 90.5 % for alanine, 95.2 % for glutamic acid and 92.6 % for lysine, respectively.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks: Opportunities for Catalysis

The role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in the field of catalysis is discussed, and special focus is placed on their assets and limits in light of current challenges in catalysis and green chemistry. Their structural and dynamic features are presented in terms of catalytic functions along with how MOFs can be designed to bridge the gap between zeolites and enzymes. The contributions of MOFs to the field of catalysis are comprehensively reviewed and a list of catalytic candidates is given. The subject is presented from a multidisciplinary point of view covering solid‐state chemistry, materials science, and catalysis.     

Tuning Hydrogen Sorption Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks by Postsynthetic Covalent Modification

Postsynthetic modification is presented as a means to tune the hydrogen adsorption properties of a series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). IRMOF‐3 (isoreticular metal–organic framework), UMCM‐1‐NH₂ (University of Michigan crystalline material), and DMOF‐1‐NH₂ (DABCO metal–organic framework) have been covalently modified with a series of anhydrides or isocyanates and the hydrogen sorption properties have been studied. Both the storage capacities and isosteric heats of adsorption clearly show that covalent postsynthetic modification can significantly enhance the sorption affinity of MOFs with hydrogen and in some cases increase both gravimetric and volumetric uptake of the gas as much as 40 %. The significance of the present study is illustrated by: 1) the nature of the substituents introduced by postsynthetic modification result in different effects on the binding of hydrogen; 2) the covalent postsynthetic modification approach allows for systematic modulation of hydrogen sorption properties; and 3) the ease of postsynthetic modification of MOFs allows a direct evaluation of the interplay between MOF structure, hydrogen uptake, and heat of adsorption. The findings presented herein show that postsynthetic modification is a powerful method to manipulate and better understand the gas sorption properties of MOFs.     

Chiral Metal–Organic Frameworks Bearing Free Carboxylic Acids for Organocatalyst Encapsulation

Two chiral carboxylic acid functionalized micro‐ and mesoporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are constructed by the stepwise assembly of triple‐stranded heptametallic helicates with six carboxylic acid groups. The mesoporous MOF with permanent porosity functions as a host for encapsulation of an enantiopure organic amine catalyst by combining carboxylic acids and chiral amines in situ through acid–base interactions. The organocatalyst‐loaded framework is shown to be an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the asymmetric direct aldol reactions with significantly enhanced stereoselectivity in relative to the homogeneous organocatalyst.     

Solvatochromic Behavior of Chiral Mesoporous Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Applications for Sensing Small Molecules and Separating Cationic Dyes

Two anionic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with 1D mesoporous tubes ( 1 ) and chiral mesoporous cages ( 2 ) have been rationally constructed by means of a predesigned size‐extended hexatopic ligand, namely, 5,5′,5′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tris‐ (azanediyl)triisophthalate (TATAT). Charge neutrality is achieved by protonated dimethylamine cations. Notably, the two MOFs can be used to separate large molecules based on ionic selectivity rather than the size‐exclusion effect so far reported in the literature. Owing to the imino triazine backbone and carboxyl groups of the hexatopic ligand, which provide important host–guest interactions, rare solvatochromic phenomena of 1 and 2 are observed on incorporating acetone and ethanol guests. Furthermore, guest‐dependent luminescence properties of compound 2 were investigated, and the results show that luminescence intensity is significantly enhanced in toluene and benzene, while quenching effects are observed in acetone and ethanol. Thus, compound 2 may be a potential material for luminescent probes.     

Exploiting Large‐Pore Metal–Organic Frameworks for Separations through Entropic Molecular Mechanisms

We review the molecular mechanisms behind adsorption and the separations of mixtures in metal–organic frameworks and zeolites. Separation mechanisms can be based on differences in the affinity of the adsorbate with the framework and on entropic effects. To develop next‐generation adsorbents, the separation efficiency of the materials needs to be improved. The performance under industrially relevant conditions largely depends on two factors: 1) the separation selectivity and 2) the pore volume capacity of the material. Enthalpic mechanisms can lead to increased selectivities, but these are mostly restricted to the low loading regime, and hence these mechanisms are unable to make use of all of the large‐pore volume that a metal–organic framework can provide. Industrial processes routinely operate in the pore saturation regime. In this Review, we focus on entropic molecular separation mechanisms that are effective under these conditions and, in particular, on a recent methodology to obtain high selectivities at high pore loading.     

Metal‐Ion Metathesis in Metal–Organic Frameworks: A Synthetic Route to New Metal–Organic Frameworks

A porous metal–organic framework, Mn(H₃O)[(Mn₄Cl)₃(hmtt)₈] (POST‐65), was prepared by the reaction of 5,5′,10,10′,15,15′‐hexamethyltruxene‐2,7,12‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃hmtt) with MnCl₂ under solvothermal conditions. POST‐65(Mn) was subjected to post‐synthetic modification with Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu according to an ion‐exchange method that resulted in the formation of three isomorphous frameworks, POST‐65(Co/Ni/Cu), as well as a new framework, POST‐65(Fe). The ion‐exchanged samples could not be prepared by regular solvothermal reactions. The complete exchange of the metal ions and retention of the framework structure were verified by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface‐area analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffractions studies revealed a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC)‐transformation nature of the ion‐exchange process. Hydrogen‐sorption and magnetization measurements showed metal‐specific properties of POST‐65.     

Solvent‐Mediated Transformation from Achiral to Chiral Nickel(II) Metal–Organic Frameworks and Reassembly in Solution

Reactions of 5‐nitroisophthalic acid (NO₂‐H₂ip), 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1′‐yl)butane (bimb), and Ni(NO₃)₂ ? 6 H₂O gave rise to four metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Ni₂(NO₂‐ip)₂(bimb)_1.5]_n ( 1 ), [Ni₄(NO₂‐ip)₃(bimb)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)]_n ? (CH₃CH₂OH)_{0.5 n} ( 2 ), [Ni(NO₂‐ip)(bimb)_1.5(H₂O)]_n ? (H₂O)_n ? (CH₃CH₂OH)_{0.5 n} ( 3 ), and [Ni(NO₂‐ip) (bimb)(μ‐H₂O)]_n ? (H₂O)_n ( 4 ). The metal/ligand ratio, pH value, and solvent exerted a subtle but crucial influence on the formation of complexes 1 – 4 , which possess different visual color and crystal structures. Complex 1 exhibits a twofold interpenetrating 3D pillared bilayer framework composed of binuclear and mononuclear Ni^II units, whereas complex 2 is a 3D chiral network that consists of asymmetric tetranuclear Ni^II units. Complexes 3 and 4 are 3D layer‐pillared frameworks that consist of mononuclear Ni^II ions and a 3D six‐connected network of μ‐water‐bridged dinuclear Ni^II units, respectively. Interestingly, achiral 4 can be transformed into chiral 2 by using a solvent‐mediated single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal process without any chiral auxiliary. Magnetic analyses of 2 and 4 show the occurrence of antiferromagnetic interactions. Complex 3 is difficult to obtain directly as a single solid phase, but it can be homogeneously formed by solvent‐mediated transformations from 1 , 2 , and 4 .