Separating Xylene Isomers with a Calcium Metal-Organic Framework

The purification of p-xylene (pX) from its xylene isomers represents a challenging but important industrial process. Herein, we report the efficient separation of pX from its ortho- and meta- isomers by a microporous calcium-based metal–organic framework material (HIAM-203) with a flexible skeleton. At 30 °C, all three isomers are accommodated but the adsorption kinetics of o-xylene (oX) and m-xylene (mX) are substantially slower than that of pX, and at an elevated temperature of 120 °C, oX and mX are fully excluded while pX can be adsorbed. Multicomponent column breakthrough measurements and vapor-phase/liquid-phase adsorption experiments have demonstrated the capability of HIAM-203 for efficient separation of xylene isomers. Ab initio calculations have provided useful information for understanding the adsorption mechanism.     

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Breakthrough Separation of 2-Butene Isomers with High Dynamic Selectivity and Capacity

Developing porous sorbents represents a potential energy-efficient way for industrial gas separation. However, a bottleneck for reducing the energy penalty is the trade-off between dynamic adsorption capacity and selectivity. Herein, we showed this problem can be overcome by modulating the kinetic and thermodynamic separation behaviours in metal–organic frameworks for sieving 2-butene geometric isomers, which are desired for upgrading the raffinates to higher value-added end products. We found that the iron-triazolate framework can realize the selective shape screening of 2-butene isomers assisted by electrostatic interactions at the pore apertures. Further introducing uncoordinated N binding sites by ligand substitution lowered the gas diffusion barrier and greatly boosted the dynamic separation performance. In breakthrough tests under ambient conditions, trans-2-C₄H₈ can be efficiently separated from cis-2-C₄H₈ with a record capacity of 2.10 mmol g⁻¹ with high dynamic selectivity of 2.39.     

Growing ZIF-8 Seeds on Charged COF Substrates toward Efficient Propylene-Propane Separation Membranes

We report a covalent organic framework (COF) induced seeding strategy to fabricate metal–organic framework (MOF) membranes. Contrary to graphene oxide nuclei-depositing substrate, COF substrate has uniform pore size, high microporosity and abundant functional groups. We designed a series of charged COF nanosheets to induce the formation of ZIF-8@COF nanosheet seeds with high aspect ratio over 150, which were readily processed into a compact and uniform seed layer. The resulting ZIF-8 membranes with thickness down to 100 nm exhibit an ultrahigh C₃H₆/C₃H₈ separation performance and superior long-term stability. Our strategy is also validated by fabricating ultrathin ZIF-67 and UiO-66 membranes.     

Accurate Geometry and Non-Covalent Interactions in 1-Phenylethanol and its Monohydrate: A Rotational Study

The pure rotational spectra of 1-phenylethanol and its monohydrate were measured by using a pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. One conformer of the 1-phenylethanol monomer with the trans form was observed in the pulsed jet. The experimental values of rotational constants of ten isotopologues, including eight mono-substituted ¹³C and one D isotopologues, allow an accurate structure determination of the skeleton of 1-phenylethanol. For its monohydrate, only one isomer has been observed, of which 1-phenylethanol adopts the trans form and binds with water through an O−H⋅⋅⋅O_w and an O_w−H⋅⋅⋅π hydrogen bond. Each rotational transition displays a doublet with a relative intensity ratio of 1 : 3, due to a hindered internal rotation of water around its C₂ axis. This study provides the information on accurate geometry of 1-phenylethanol (PE) and large amplitude motion of water in the PE monohydrate.     

Targeted Synthesis of Isomeric Naphthalene-Based 2D Kagome Covalent Organic Frameworks

Targeted synthesis of kagome ( kgm ) topologic 2D covalent organic frameworks remains challenging, presumably due to the severe dependence on building units and synthetic conditions. Herein, two isomeric “two-in-one” monomers with different lengths of substituted arms based on naphthalene core (p-Naph and m-Naph) are elaborately designed and utilized for the defined synthesis of isomeric kgm Naph-COFs. The two isomeric frameworks exhibit splendid crystallinity and showcase the same chemical composition and topologic structure with, however, different pore channels. Interestingly, C₆₀ is able to uniformly be encapsulated into the triangle channels of m-Naph-COF via in situ incorporation method, while not the isomeric p-Naph-COF, likely due to the different pore structures of the two isomeric COFs. The resulting stable C₆₀@m-Naph-COF composite exhibits much higher photoconductivity than the m-Naph-COF owing to charge transfer between the conjugated skeletons and C₆₀ guests.     

Tuning the Stacking Modes of Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheet Membranes for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Separation

Two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF) membranes are considered potential gas separation membranes of the next generation due to their structural diversity and geometrical functionality. However, achieving a rational structure design for a 2D MOF membrane and understanding the impact of MOF nanosheet stacking modes on membrane separation performance remain challenging tasks. Here, we report a novel kind of 2D MOF membrane based on [Cu₂Br(IN)₂]_n (IN=isonicotinato) nanosheets and propose that synergetic stacking modes of nanosheets have a significant influence on gas separation performance. The stacking of the 2D MOF nanosheets is controlled by solvent droplet dynamic behaviors at different temperatures of drop coating. Our 2D MOF nanosheet membranes exhibit high gas separation performances for H₂/CH₄ (selectivity >290 with H₂ permeance >520 GPU) and H₂/CO₂ (selectivity >190 with H₂ permeance >590 GPU) surpassing the Robeson upper bounds, paving a potential way for eco-friendly H₂ separation.     

Structural Distortion of the Epoxy Groups in Norbornanes: A Rotational Study of exo‐2,3‐Epoxynorbornane

Exo‐2,3‐epoxynorbornane is studied in the gas phase by pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in the 4–18 GHz region. Six isotopologues were observed and characterized in their natural abundance. The experimental substitution and effective structures were obtained. Comparison with the structure of norbornane shows significant differences in several bond lengths and valence angles upon introduction of the epoxy group. All the work is supported by quantum chemical calculations.     

Stepwise Engineering the Pore Aperture of a Cage-like MOF for the Efficient Separation of Isomeric C4 Paraffins under Humid Conditions

The separation of isomeric C4 paraffins is an important task in the petrochemical industry, while current adsorbents undergo a trade-off relationship between selectivity and adsorption capacity. In this work, the pore aperture of a cage-like Zn-bzc (bzc=pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) is tuned by the stepwise installation methyl groups on its narrow aperture to achieve both molecular-sieving separation and high n-C₄H₁₀ uptake. Notably, the resulting Zn-bzc-2CH₃ (bzc-2CH₃=3,5-dimethylpyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) can sensitively capture n-C₄H₁₀ and exclude iso-C₄H₁₀, affording molecular-sieving for n-C₄H₁₀/iso-C₄H₁₀ separation and high n-C₄H₁₀ adsorption capacity (54.3 cm³ g⁻¹). Breakthrough tests prove n-C₄H₁₀/iso-C₄H₁₀ can be efficiently separated and high-purity iso-C₄H₁₀ (99.99 %) can be collected. Importantly, the hydrophobic microenvironment created by the introduced methyl groups greatly improves the stability of Zn-bzc and significantly eliminates the negative effect of water vapor on gas separation under humid conditions, indicating Zn-bzc-2CH₃ is a new benchmark adsorbent for n-C₄H₁₀/iso-C₄H₁₀ separation.     

Frontispiece: Induced-Fit-Identification in a Rigid Metal-Organic Framework for ppm-Level CO2 Removal and Ultra-Pure CO Enrichment

Removing CO₂ from crude syngas via physical adsorption is an effective method to yield eligible syngas. However, the bottleneck in trapping ppm-level CO₂ and improving CO purity at higher working temperatures are major challenges. Here we report a thermoresponsive metal–organic framework ( 1 a-apz ), assembled by rigid Mg₂(dobdc) ( 1 a ) and aminopyrazine (apz), which not only affords an ultra-high CO₂ capacity (145.0/197.6 cm³ g⁻¹ (0.01/0.1 bar) at 298 K) but also produces ultra-pure CO (purity ≥99.99 %) at a practical ambient temperature (T_A). Several characterization results, including variable-temperature tests, in situ high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (HR-SXRD), and simulations, explicitly unravel that the excellent property is attributed to the induced-fit-identification in 1 a-apz that comprises self-adaption of apz, multiple binding sites, and complementary electrostatic potential (ESP). Breakthrough tests suggest that 1 a-apz can remove CO₂ from 1/99 CO₂/CO mixtures at practical 348 K, yielding 70.5 L kg⁻¹ of CO with ultra-high purity of ≥99.99 %. The excellent separation performance is also revealed by separating crude syngas that contains quinary mixtures of H₂/N₂/CH₄/CO/CO₂ (46/18.3/2.4/32.3/1, v/v/v/v/v).     

Facile Fabrication of a Continuous ZIF-67 Membrane for Efficient Azeotropic Organic Solvent Mixture Separation

Azeotropic organic solvent mixture separation is common in the chemical industry but extremely difficult. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) shows great potential in organic solvent mixture separation due to its rigid micropores and excellent stability. However, due to the fast nucleation rate, it is a great challenge to prepare continuous ZIF-67 membrane layers with ultrathin thickness. In this study, a hydroxy salt layer with high inducible activity was synthesized as a precursor on different porous substrates to prepare ZIF-67 membranes at room temperature. The precursor layer enables an intact ZIF-67 membrane with an ultrathin thickness of 176±12 nm. The experimental and simulation results confirmed that the size sieving through the pore windows and the preferential adsorption of polar solvent molecules provide the ZIF-67 membrane an unprecedented separation performance such as high separation factors and fluxes, for four types of azeotropic organic solvent mixtures.     

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.     

How CO2 Interacts with Carboxylic Acids: A Rotational Study of Formic Acid–CO2

The rotational spectra of the 1:1 formic acid–carbon dioxide molecular complex and of its monodeuterated isotopologues are analysed in the 6.5–18.5 and 59.6–74.4 GHz frequency ranges using a pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer and a free‐jet absorption millimetre wave spectrometer, respectively. Precise values of the rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants are obtained from the measured frequencies, and quadrupole coupling constants are determined from the deuterium hyperfine splittings. Structural parameters are estimated from the moments of inertia and their differences among isotopologues: the complex has a planar structure with the two subunits held together by a HC(O)OH???O=C ? O (2.075 Å) and a HC(OH)O???CO₂ (2.877 Å) interactions. The ab initio intermolecular binding energy, obtained at the counterpoise corrected MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of calculation, is D_e=17 kJ mol^?1.     

Theoretical characterization of hydrogen pentoxide,H2O5

Following our investigations on hydrogen polyoxides, herein we employed coupled cluster theory in conjunction with Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets and density functional theory to study HOOOOOH (H₂O₅). The infrared spectra of H₂O₅ and its three deuterated isotopologues, as well as those of the five single‐substituted ¹⁸O isotopologues are discussed in detail. Internal valence coordinates were employed to classify the vibrational modes. The Raman activity is reported to help in the identification of hydrogen pentoxide. The suggested enthalpy of formation is ΔH_f,298° (HOOOOH) = 1.4 ± 1.5 kcal/mol. This value includes corrections for relativistic and core‐valence effects as well as anharmonic corrections to Zero‐point energy corrections. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Construction of Negative Electrostatic Pore Environments in a Scalable,Stable and Low-Cost Metal-organic Framework for One-Step Ethylene Purification from Ternary Mixtures

One-step separation of C₂H₄ from ternary C₂ mixtures by physisorbents remains a challenge to combine excellent separation performance with high stability, low cost, and easy scalability for industrial applications. Herein, we report a strategy of constructing negative electrostatic pore environments in a stable, low-cost, and easily scaled-up aluminum MOF (MOF-303) for efficient one-step C₂H₂/C₂H₆/C₂H₄ separation. This material exhibits not only record high C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ uptakes, but also top-tier C₂H₂/C₂H₄ and C₂H₆/C₂H₄ selectivities at ambient conditions. Theoretical calculations combined with in situ infrared spectroscopy indicate that multiple N/O sites on pore channels can build a negative electro-environment to provide stronger interactions with C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ over C₂H₄. Breakthrough experiments confirm its exceptional separation performance for ternary mixtures, affording one of the highest C₂H₄ productivity of 1.35 mmol g⁻¹. This material is highly stable and can be easily synthesized at kilogram-scale from cheap raw materials using a water-based green synthesis. The benchmark combination of excellent separation properties with high stability and low cost in scalable MOF-303 has unlocked its great potential in this challenging industrial separation.     

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.     

Covalent Organic Frameworks Containing Dual O2 Reduction Centers for Overall Photosynthetic Hydrogen Peroxide Production

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are highly desirable for achieving high-efficiency overall photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) via molecular design. However, precise construction of COFs toward overall photosynthetic H₂O₂ remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the crystalline s-heptazine-based COFs (HEP-TAPT-COF and HEP-TAPB-COF) with separated redox centers for efficient H₂O₂ production from O₂ and pure water. The spatially and orderly separated active sites in HEP-COFs can efficiently promote charge separation and enhance photocatalytic H₂O₂ production. Compared with HEP-TAPB-COF, HEP-TAPT-COF exhibits higher H₂O₂ production efficiency for integrating dual O₂ reduction active centers of s-heptazine and triazine moieties. Accordingly, HEP-TAPT-COF bearing dual O₂ reduction centers exhibits a remarkable solar-to-chemical energy efficiency of 0.65 % with a high apparent quantum efficiency of 15.35 % at 420 nm, surpassing previously reported COF-based photocatalysts.     

Heterogenization of Salen Metal Molecular Catalysts in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Integrating a molecular catalyst with a light harvester into a photocatalyst is an effective strategy for solar light conversion. However, it is challenging to establish a crystallized framework with well-organized connections that favour charge separation and transfer. Herein, we report the heterogenization of a Salen metal complex molecular catalyst into a rigid covalent organic framework (COF) through covalent linkage with the light-harvesting unit of pyrene for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The chemically conjugated bonds between the two units contribute to fast photogenerated electron transfer and thereby promote the proton reduction reaction. The Salen cobalt-based COF showed the best hydrogen evolution activity (1378 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), which is superior to the previously reported nonnoble metal based COF photocatalysts. This work provides a strategy to construct atom-efficient photocatalysts by the heterogenization of molecular catalysts into covalent organic frameworks.     

The spectroscopic characterization of the methoxy radical. III. Rotationally resolved Ã2A1-X̃2E electronic and X̃2E submillimeter wave spectra of partially deuterated CH2DO and CHD2O radicals

Rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence and stimulated emission pumping A?(2)A(1)-X?(2)E spectra, along with pure rotational spectra in the 153-263 GHz region within the E(3/2) component of the ground state in asymmetrically deuterated methoxy radicals CH(2)DO and CHD(2)O have been observed. The combined data set allows for the direct measurement with high precision of the energy separation between the E(1/2) and E(3/2) components of the ground state and the energy separation between the parity stacks in the E(3/2) component of the ground state. The experimentally observed frequencies in both isotopologues are fit to an effective rotational Hamiltonian accounting for rotational and spin-rotational effects arising in a near-prolate asymmetric top molecule with dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion. Isotopic dependencies for the molecular parameters have been successfully implemented to aid the analysis of these very complex spectra. The analysis of the first and second order contributions to the effective values of molecular parameters has been extended to elucidate the physical significance of resulting molecular parameters. Comparisons of measured parameters, e.g., spin-orbit coupling, rotational and spin-rotation constants, are made among the 5 methoxy isotopologues for which data is now available. Comparisons of experimental results, including the derived geometric structure at both the C(3v) conical intersection and at the Jahn-Teller distorted minima, are made with quantum chemistry calculations.     

羧酸类金属有机框架材料的合成及应用

金属-有机框架材料(Metal-Organic?Frameworks,简称MOFs)是由金属离子（簇）与有机桥接配体通过配位共价键或弱相互作用自组装形成的一类具有分子内孔隙的有机-无机杂化材料。羧酸类MOFs材料中金属中心和有机羧酸配体的可变性导致了其结构和功能的多样性,在气体的吸附与分离、荧光、传感、药物传输以及电催化等多个领域展现了独特的应用前景,并被认为是当今科学上最有前途的材料之一。对于有机配体的选择,从早期易坍塌的含氮杂环类配体过渡到了如今稳定性好的羧酸类配体,解决了不少以前出现的MOFs材料结构单一易坍塌问题。     

Pore Aperture Control Toward Size-Exclusion-Based Hydrocarbon Separations

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proposed as a promising material for non-thermal chemical separations owing to their high structural diversity and tunability. Here, we report the synthesis of a zinc-based MOF containing a three-dimensional (3D) linker, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, with high thermal stability towards the separation of hexane isomers. The incorporation of the 3D linker enhances the structural stability and provides well-defined pore apertures/channels with sub-Ångstrom precision. This precision allowed for the separation of similarly sized hexane isomers based on subtle differences in their kinetic diameters. Multi-component liquid phase batch experiments confirmed the separation of hexanes mixture into linear, monobranched, and dibranched isomers. This work represents a significant milestone in the construction of stable Zn-based MOFs and the incorporation of 3D linkers as a potential solution to challenging separations.