Tailor‐Made Metal–Organic Frameworks from Functionalized Molecular Building Blocks and Length‐Adjustable Organic Linkers by Stepwise Synthesis

In this work, we have demonstrated a family of diamondoid metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on functionalized molecular building blocks and length‐adjustable organic linkers by using a stepwise synthesis strategy. We have successfully achieved not only “design” and “control” to synthesize MOFs, but also the functionalization of both secondary building units (SBUs) and organic linkers in the same MOF for the first time. Furthermore, the results of N₂ and H₂ adsorption show that their surface areas and hydrogen uptake capacities are determined by the most optimal combination of functional groups from SBUs and organic linkers, interpenetration, and free volume in this system. A member of this series, DMOF‐6 exhibits the highest surface area and H₂ adsorption capacity among this family of MOFs.     

Microporous metal-organic framework constructed from heptanuclear zinc carboxylate secondary building units

A novel, three-dimensional, noninterpenetrating microporous metal-organic framework (MOF), [Zn7O2(pda)5(H2O)2]5 DMF4 EtOH 6 H2O (1) (H2PDA=p-phenylenediacrylic acid, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide, EtOH=ethanol), was synthesized by constructing heptanuclear zinc carboxylate secondary building units (SBUs) and by using rigid and linear aromatic carboxylate ligands, PDA. The X-ray crystallographic data reveals that the seven zinc centers of 1 are held together with ten carboxylate groups of the PDA ligands and four water molecules to form a heptametallic SBU, Zn7O4(CO2)10, with dimensions of 9.8 x 9.8 x 13.8 A3. Furthermore, the heptametallic SBUs are interconnected by PDA acting as linkers, thereby generating an extended network with a three-dimensional, noninterpenetrating, intersecting large-channel system with spacing of about 17.3 A. As a microporous framework, polymer 1 shows adsorption behavior that is favorable towards H2O and CH3OH, and substantial H2 uptake. In terms of the heptanuclear zinc carboxylate SBUs, polymer 1 exhibits interesting photoelectronic properties, which would facilitate the exploration of new types of semiconducting materials, especially among MOFs containing multinuclear metal carboxylate SBUs.     

Switching in Metal–Organic Frameworks

In recent years, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have become an area of intense research interest because of their adjustable pores and nearly limitless structural diversity deriving from the design of different organic linkers and metal structural building units (SBUs). Among the recent great challenges for scientists include switchable MOFs and their corresponding applications. Switchable MOFs are a type of smart material that undergo distinct, reversible, chemical changes in their structure upon exposure to external stimuli, yielding interesting technological applicability. Although the process of switching shares similarities with flexibility, very limited studies have been devoted specifically to switching, while a fairly large amount of research and a number of Reviews have covered flexibility in MOFs. This Review focuses on the properties and general design of switchable MOFs. The switching activity has been delineated based on the cause of the switching: light, spin crossover (SCO), redox, temperature, and wettability.     

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.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of two three-dimensional metal-organic frameworks, based on concurrent ligand extension

A tritopic carboxylate ligand, tris(4'-carboxybiphenyl)amine (L-H(3)), has been synthesized and applied in the construction of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Two novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn(2)(L)(OH)]·2DMF·H(2)O}(∞) (1) and {[Cu(L-H)(DMA)]·DMA·2H(2)O}(∞) (2), have been constructed out of L-H(3), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+), respectively. 1 has a 2-fold interpenetrating three-dimensional framework formed by L connectors and the [Zn(2)(CO(2))(3)] secondary building units (SBUs). As for 1, it is worth pointing out that one μ(2)-OH group links two Zn atoms between two neighboring SBUs to produce interesting Zn-O-Zn zigzag chains in the structure. 2 has a two-dimensional grid sheet formed by L-H connectors and the typical paddle-wheel [Cu(2)(CO(2))(4)] SBUs. Two-dimensional (2D) sheets nest with each other, which finally forms a three-dimensional (3D) nested framework. Two MOFs are characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, single-crystal and elemental analyses, and powder X-ray diffraction methods. Framework 1' exhibits high permanent porosity (Langmuir surface area = 848 m(2)/g), high thermal stability (up to 450 °C), highly active properties for Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction, as well as the potential application for the CO(2) gas storage and luminescent material. The catalytic results reveal that 2' is indeed an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for olefin epoxidation reactions.     

A Metal–Organic Framework Containing Unusual Eight‐Connected Zr–Oxo Secondary Building Units and Orthogonal Carboxylic Acids for Ultra‐sensitive Metal Detection

Two metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with Zr–oxo secondary building units (SBUs) were prepared by using p,p′‐terphenyldicarboxylate (TPDC) bridging ligands pre‐functionalized with orthogonal succinic acid (MOF‐ 1 ) and maleic acid groups (MOF‐ 2 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of MOF‐ 1 provides the first direct evidence for eight‐connected SBUs in UiO‐type MOFs. In contrast, MOF‐ 2 contains twelve‐connected SBUs as seen in the traditional UiO MOF topology. These structural assignments were confirmed by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. The highly porous MOF‐ 1 is an excellent fluorescence sensor for metal ions with the detection limit of <0.5 ppb for Mn²⁺and three to four orders of magnitude greater sensitivity for metal ions than previously reported luminescent MOFs.     

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).     

高稳定性金属有机骨架UiO-66的合成与应用

金属有机骨架(metal-organic frameworks,MOFs)是一种由金属中心与有机配体自组装而成的、具有三维网状有序孔结构的新型多孔晶体材料,其具有超高的比表面积、种类和结构多样性、可化学功能化等特点,在多个研究领域显示出了潜在的应用前景,已成为当前化学、材料学科的研究热点之一。 然而大多数MOFs材料的稳定性较差,极大地束缚了MOFs材料的发展。 以Zr为金属中心,对苯二甲酸为有机配体的UiO-66具有较好的热稳定性,结构可在500 ℃保持稳定,并且其还具有很高的耐酸性和一定的耐碱性,引起了人们的关注。 本文主要综述了UiO-66在合成调控、功能化合成和后改性方面的研究现状,以及其在吸附和催化等领域的应用前景。     

Assembly of metal-organic frameworks from large organic and inorganic secondary building units: new examples and simplifying principles for complex structures

The secondary building unit (SBU) has been identified as a useful tool in the analysis of complex metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). We illustrate its applicability to rationalizing MOF crystal structures by analysis of nine new MOFs which have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Tetrahedral SBUs in Zn(ADC)(2).(HTEA)(2) (MOF-31), Cd(ATC).[Cd(H(2)O)(6)](H2O)(5) (MOF-32), and Zn(2)(ATB)(H2O).(H2O)(3)(DMF)(3) (MOF-33) are linked into diamond networks, while those of Ni(2)(ATC)(H(2)O)(4).(H2O)(4) (MOF-34) have the structure of the Al network in SrAl(2). Frameworks constructed from less symmetric tetrahedral SBUs have the Ga network of CaGa(2)O(4) as illustrated by Zn(2)(ATC).(C(2)H(5)OH)(2)(H2O)(2) (MOF-35) structure. Squares and tetrahedral SBUs in Zn(2)(MTB)(H2O)(2).(DMF)(6)(H2O)(5) (MOF-36) are linked into the PtS network, which is the simplest structure type known for the assembly of these shapes. The octahedral SBUs found in Zn(2)(NDC)(3).[(HTEA)(DEF)(ClBz)](2) (MOF-37) form the most common structure for linking octahedral shapes, namely, the boron network in CaB(6). New structure types for linking triangular and trigonal prismatic SBUs are found in Zn(3)O(BTC)(2).(HTEA)(2) (MOF-38) and Zn(3)O(HBTB)(2)(H2O).(DMF)(0.5)(H2O)(3) (MOF-39). The synthesis, crystal structure, and structure analysis using the SBU approach are presented for each MOF.     

A Combined Experimental and Computational Study on the Adsorption Sites of Zinc-Based MOFs for Efficient Ammonia Capture

Ammonia (NH₃) is a common pollutant mostly derived from pig manure composting under humid conditions, and it is absolutely necessary to develop materials for ammonia removal with high stability and efficiency. To this end, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received special attention because of their high selectivity of harmful gases in the air, resulting from their large surface area and high density of active sites, which can be tailored by appropriate modifications. Herein, two synthetic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), 2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8) and zinc-trimesic acid (ZnBTC), were selected for ammonia removal under humid conditions during composting. The two MOFs, with different organic linkers, exhibit fairly distinctive ammonia absorption behaviors under the same conditions. For the ZnBTC framework, the ammonia intake is 11.37 mmol/g at 298 K, nine times higher than that of the ZIF-8 framework (1.26 mmol/g). In combination with theoretical calculations, powder XRD patterns, FTIR, and BET surface area tests were conducted to reveal the absorption mechanisms of ammonia for the two materials. The adsorption of ammonia on the ZnBTC framework can be attributed to both physical and chemical adsorption. A strong coordination interaction exists between the nitrogen atom from the ammonia molecule and the zinc atom in the ZnBTC framework. In contrast, the absorption of ammonia in the ZIF-8 framework is mainly physical. The weak interaction between the ammonia molecule and the ZIF-8 framework mainly results from the inherent severely steric hindrance, which is related to the coordination mode of the imidazole ligands and the zinc atom of this framework. Therefore, this study provides a method for designing promising MOFs with appropriate organic linkers for the selective capture of ammonia during manure composting.     

Expanded Organic Building Units for the Construction of Highly Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks

Two new organic building units that contain dicarboxylate sites for their self‐assembly with paddlewheel [Cu₂(CO₂)₄] units have been successfully developed to construct two isoreticular porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), ZJU‐35 and ZJU‐36, which have the same tbo topologies (Reticular Chemistry Structure Resource (RCSR) symbol) as HKUST‐1. Because the organic linkers in ZJU‐35 and ZJU‐36 are systematically enlarged, the pores in these two new porous MOFs vary from 10.8 Å in HKUST‐1 to 14.4 Å in ZJU‐35 and 16.5 Å in ZJU‐36, thus leading to their higher porosities with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of 2899 and 4014 m² g^?1 for ZJU‐35 and ZJU‐36, respectively. High‐pressure gas‐sorption isotherms indicate that both ZJU‐35 and ZJU‐36 can take up large amounts of CH₄ and CO₂, and are among the few porous MOFs with the highest volumetric storage of CH₄ under 60 bar and CO₂ under 30 bar at room temperature. Their potential for high‐pressure swing adsorption (PSA) hydrogen purification was also preliminarily examined and compared with several reported MOFs, thus indicating the potential of ZJU‐35 and ZJU‐36 for this important application. Studies show that most of the highly porous MOFs that can volumetrically take up the greatest amount of CH₄ under 60 bar and CO₂ under 30 bar at room temperature are those self‐assembled from organic tetra‐ and hexacarboxylates that contain m‐benzenedicarboxylate units with the [Cu₂(CO₂)₄] units, because this series of MOFs can have balanced porosities, suitable pores, and framework densities to optimize their volumetric gas storage. The realization of the two new organic building units for their construction of highly porous MOFs through their self‐assembly with [Cu₂(CO₂)₄] units has provided great promise for the exploration of a large number of new tetra‐ and hexacarboxylate organic linkers based on these new organic building units in which different aromatic backbones can be readily incorporated into the frameworks to tune their porosities, pore structures, and framework densities, thus targeting some even better performing MOFs for very high gas storage and efficient gas separation under high pressure and at room temperature in the near future.     

Trans–Cis Kinetic Study of Azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylic Acid and Aluminium and Zirconium Based Azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylate MOFs

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous hybrid crystalline materials that consist of organic linkers coordinated to metal centres. The trans–cis isomerisation kinetics of the azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (AZB(COOH)₂) precursor, as well as the Al³⁺ (Al-AZB)- and Zr⁴⁺ (Zr-AZB)-based MOFs with azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylate linkers, are presented. The photo-isomerization in the MOFs originates from singly bound azobenzene moieties on the surface of the MOF. The type of solvent used had a slight effect on the rate of isomerization and half-life, while the band gap energies were not significantly affected by the solvents. Photo-responsive MOFs can be classified as smart materials with possible applications in sensing, drug delivery, magnetism, and molecular recognition. In this study, the MOFs were applied in the dye adsorption of congo red (CR) in contaminated water. For both MOFs, the UV-irradiated cis isomer exhibited a slightly higher CR uptake than the ambient-light exposed trans isomer. Al-AZB displayed a dye adsorption capacity of over 95% for both the UV-irradiated and ambient light samples. The ambient light exposed Zr-AZB, and the UV irradiated Zr-AZB had 39.1% and 44.6% dye removal, respectively.     

Construction of robust open metal-organic frameworks with chiral channels and permanent porosity

Four new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing chiral channels have been synthesized using an achiral, triazine-based trigonal-planar ligand, 4,4',4' '-s-triazine-2,4,6-triyltribenzoate (TATB), and an hourglass secondary building unit (SBU): Zn3(TATB)2(H2O)2.4DMF.6H2O (1); Cd3(TATB)2(H2O)2.7DMA.10H2O (2); [H2N(CH3)2][Zn3(TATB)2(HCOO)].HN(CH3)2.3DMF.3H2O (3); [H2N(CH3)2][Cd3(TATB)2(CH3COO)].HN(CH3)2.3DMA.4H2O (4). MOFs 1 and 2 are isostructural and possess (10,3)-a nets containing large chiral channels of 20.93 and 21.23 A, respectively, but are thermally unstable due to the easy removal of coordinated water molecules on the SBU. Replacement of these water molecules by formate or acetate generated in situ leads to 3 and 4, respectively. Formate or acetate links SBUs to form infinite helical chains bridged by TATB to create three-dimensional anionic networks, in which one of the two oxygen atoms of the formate or acetate is uncoordinated and points into the void of the channels. This novel SBU-stabilization and channel-functionalization strategy may have general implications in the preparation of new MOFs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that solvent-free 3' is thermally stable to 410 degrees C, while TGA studies on samples vapor-diffused with water, methanol, and chloroform show reversible adsorption. MOF 3 also has permanent porosity with a large Langmuir surface area of 1558 m2/g. All complexes exhibit similar strong luminescence with a lambdamax of approximately 423 nm upon excitation at 268.5 nm.     

The Chemistry of Nucleation: In Situ Pair Distribution Function Analysis of Secondary Building Units During UiO-66 MOF Formation

The concept of secondary building units (SBUs) is central to all science on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and they are widely used to design new MOF materials. However, the presence of SBUs during MOF formation remains controversial, and the formation mechanism of MOFs remains unclear, due to limited information about the evolution of prenucleation cluster structures. Here in situ pair distribution function (PDF) analysis was used to probe UiO-66 formation under solvothermal conditions. The expected SBU—a hexanuclear zirconium cluster—is present in the metal salt precursor solution. Addition of organic ligands results in a disordered structure with correlations up to 23 Å, resembling crystalline UiO-66. Heating leads to fast cluster aggregation, and further growth and ordering results in the crystalline product. Thus, SBUs are present already at room temperature and act as building blocks for MOF formation. The proposed formation steps provide insight for further development of MOF synthesis.     

Two highly porous single-crystalline zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks

Herein we report two highly porous Zr-based metal-organic frameworks(MOFs, 1 and 2) constructed by the truncated octahedral secondary building unit(SBU) of Zr_6O_4(OH)_4(CO_2)_(12) and the organic linear ligand of 4,4.-stilbenedicarboxylic acid(H_2sbdc) or4,4′-azobenezenedicarboxylic acid(H_2abdc). Both Zr-based MOFs are obtained as single crystals of suitable size for single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, these two Zr-based MOFs have been fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD) studies, thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), infrared spectroscopy(IR) and gas adsorption analysis. In particular, their CO_2 gas adsorption behaviors have been investigated and discussed.     

金属有机框架膜的制备及应用

金属有机框架化合物是一类新颖的纳米孔结晶材料,其由金属离子或簇以强的配位键形式连接多种多样的有机配体构成．金属有机框架化合物的均一孔径、高比表面积和吸附亲和力等独特的结构特点使其在组装成具有优异性能的膜方面具有很强的吸引力．金属有机框架膜在基础理论和实际应用方面显示了巨大的潜力．本文主要介绍近年来关于金属有机框架膜的制备及其在分离、化学传感、催化和电化学中的应用等研究,同时指出了目前需要克服的问题．     

Bismuth(III) based Metal Organic Frameworks: Luminescence,Gas Adsorption,and Antibacterial Studies

Bi^III‐MOFs 1 – 4 were prepared via solvothermal method using four organic linkers; 2‐mercapto‐3‐methyl‐4‐thiazoleacetic acid (H₂MMTA), 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (2,6‐NDA), 4,6‐dihydroxy‐2‐mercaptopyrimidine (H₂DMP), and 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (H₂MBA), respectively. The resulting MOFs were structurally/morphologically characterized by UV/Vis, AAS/ICP‐MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ¹H NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X‐ray diffraction technique. All these MOFs showed good luminescence properties exhibiting blue luminescence. N₂ gas adsorption isotherms of 1 – 4 confirmed the porosity of these frameworks. In order to evaluate the effect of metal ion upon chelation, the free organic linkers and respective MOFs were screened for their antibacterial potential against some pathogenic bacteria and appreciable activity was observed.     

Giant metal-organic frameworks with bulky scaffolds: from microporous to mesoporous functional materials

New concepts on the design and synthesis of crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have made them a subject of considerable interest in the growing field of materials science. By creating larger cavity sizes by a nearly infinite combination of metal nodes and organic linkers, many innovative characteristics of microporous MOFs have been revealed. The primary goal of this perspective article is to highlight the frontiers in the development of giant MOFs that are deliberately constructed from metallated or metal-free bulky scaffolds. Incorporating these types of distinct bulky ligands into giant MOFs may lead to MOFs with a large cavity size, intriguing properties and new framework topology. Emerging applications of these materials in catalysis, adsorption, and sensors are also discussed.     

Directing the breathing behavior of pillared-layered metal-organic frameworks via a systematic library of functionalized linkers bearing flexible substituents

Flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also referred to as soft porous crystals (SPCs), show reversible structural transitions dependent on the nature and quantity of adsorbed guest molecules. In recent studies it has been reported that covalent functionalization of the organic linker can influence or even integrate framework flexibility ("breathing") in MOFs. However, rational fine-tuning of such responsive properties is very desirable but challenging as well. Here we present a powerful approach for the targeted manipulation of responsiveness and framework flexibility of an important family of pillared-layered MOFs based on the parent structure [Zn(2)(bdc)(2)(dabco)](n) (bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). A library of functionalized bdc-type linkers (fu-bdc), which bear additional dangling side groups at different positions of the benzene core (alkoxy groups of varying chain length with diverse functionalities and polarity), was generated. Synthesis of the materials [Zn(2)(fu-bdc)(2)(dabco)](n) yields the respective collection of highly responsive MOFs. The parent MOF is only weakly flexible; however, the substituted frameworks of [Zn(2)(fu-bdc)(2)(dabco)](n) contract drastically upon guest removal and expand again upon adsorption of DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), EtOH, or CO(2), etc., while N(2) is hardly adsorbed and does not open the narrow-pored form. These "breathing" dynamics are attributed to the dangling side chains that act as immobilized "guests", which interact with mobile guest molecules as well as with themselves and with the framework backbone. The structural details of the guest-free, contracted form and the gas sorption behavior (phase transition pressure, hysteresis loop) are highly dependent on the nature of the substituent at the linker and can therefore be adjusted using our approach. Combining our library of functionalized linkers with the concept of mixed-component MOFs (solid solutions) offers very rich additional dimensions of tailoring the structural dynamics and responsiveness. Implementation of two differently functionalized linkers in varying ratios yields multicomponent single-phased [Zn(2)(fu-bdc')(2x)(fu-bdc″)(2-2x)(dabco)](n) MOFs (0 < x < 1) of increased inherent complexity, which feature a non-linear dependence of their gas sorption properties on the applied ratio of components. Hence, the responsive behavior of such pillared-layered MOFs can be extensively tuned via an intelligent combination of functionalized linkers.