Rational construction of 3D pillared metal-organic frameworks: synthesis, structures, and hydrogen adsorption properties

In our efforts toward rational design and systematic synthesis of 'pillar-layer' structure MOFs, three porous MOFs have been constructed based on [Zn(4)(bpta)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (H(4)bpta = 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2',6,6'-tetracarboxylic acid) layers and three different bipyridine pillar ligands. The resulted MOFs show similar structures but different pore volume and window size depending on the length of pillar ligands which resulted in distinct gas adsorption properties. In the three MOFs, [Zn(4)(bpta)(2)(4,4'-bipy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·(DMF)(3)·H(2)O (1) (DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide and 4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine) reveals selective adsorption of H(2) over N(2) and O(2) as the result of narrow pore size. [Zn(4)(bpta)(2)(azpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·(DMF)(4)·(H(2)O)(3) (2) and [Zn(4)(bpta)(2)(dipytz)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·(DMF)(4)·H(2)O (3) (azpy =4,4'-azopyridine, dipytz = di-3,6-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) reveal pore structure change upon different activation conditions. In addition, the samples activated under different conditions show distinct adsorption behaviors of N(2) and O(2) gases. Furthermore, hydrogen adsorption properties of activated 1-3 were studied. The results indicated that the activation process could affect the hydrogen enthalpy of adsorption.     

Host-guest supramolecular interactions in the coordination compounds of 4,4'-azobis(pyridine) with MnX2 (X = NCS–, NCNCN–, and PF6(–)): structural analyses and theoretical study

Three new Mn(II) coordination compounds {[Mn(NCNCN)(2)(azpy)]·0.5azpy}(n) (1), {[Mn(NCS)(2)(azpy)(CH(3)OH)(2)]·azpy}(n) (2), and [Mn(azpy)(2)(H(2)O)(4)][Mn(azpy)(H(2)O)(5)]·4PF(6)·H(2)O·5.5azpy (3) (where azpy = 4,4'-azobis(pyridine)) have been synthesized by self-assembly of the primary ligands, dicyanamide, thiocyanate, and hexafluorophosphate, respectively, together with azpy as the secondary spacer. All three complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complex 1 forms a two-dimensional (2D) grid sheet motif. These sheets assemble to form a microporous framework that incorporates coordination-free azpy by host-guest π···π and C-H···N hydrogen bonding interactions. Complex 2 features azpy bridged one-dimensional (1D) chains of centrosymmetric [Mn(NCS)(2)(CH (3)OH)(2)] units which form a 2D porous sheet via a CH(3)···π supramolecular interaction. A guest azpy molecule is incorporated within the pores by strong H-bonding interactions. Complex 3 affords a 0-D motif with two monomeric Mn(II) units in the asymmetric unit. There exist π···π, anion···π, and strong hydrogen bonding interactions between the azpy, water, and the anions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, at the M06/6-31+G* level of theory, are used to characterize a great variety of interactions that explicitly show the importance of host-guest supramolecular interactions for the stabilization of coordination compounds and creation of the fascinating three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the title compounds.     

Syntheses, structures and physical properties of transition metal-organic frameworks assembled from trigonal heterofunctional ligands

Six novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {Mn(bpydb)(bpyHdbH)}(n) (1) {[Co(2)(bpydb)(2)](H(2)O)(0.5)}(n) (2), {[Ni(0.5)(bpydbH)(H(2)O)](DMF)(2)}(n) (3), {[Cu(2)(bpydb)(2)](H(2)O)(0.5)}(n) (4), {Zn(bpyHdb)(2)}(n) (5) and {[Cd(0.5)(bpydb)(0.5)(DMF)](H(2)O)}(n) (6), were successfully synthesized by assembling transition metal salts with trigonal heterofunctional ligand 4,4'-(4,4'-bipyridine-2,6-diyl) dibenzoic acid (bpydbH(2)) under hydrothermal and/or solvothermal conditions. Compound 1 features a rare 4-fold interpenetrating (3,5)-connected framework with hms-type topology. Isostructural compounds 2 and 4, constructed by M(2)(COO)(4) secondary building units, exhibit a robust 3D framework with alb topological type in 2-fold interpenetrating mode. Compound 3 consists of 2D (4,4) networks, which are further assembled into the new topological framework with the symbol (5(3)·6(2)·8)(5(3)·6(3))(2) through O-HO interactions. Compound 5 manifests a novel 4-connected interpenetrating framework, constructed by 2D (4,4) layers and interbedded N-HO interactions. Non-interpenetrating honeycomb networks are observed in compound 6, and further packed into a 3D framework featuring 1D channels. The magnetic susceptibility of compound 2 indicates antiferromagnetic interactions between cobalt ions. The photoluminescent properties of 5 and 6 were investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

A porous metal-organic framework (MOF) with unusual 2D→3D polycatenation based on honeycomb layers

A novel mixed-ligand 3D metal-organic framework (MOF), {Zn(2)(TMTA)(bipy)(0.5)(H(2)O)(2)·NO(3)·2DMF·H(2)O}(n) (1) (H(3)TMTA = 4,4',4'-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3,5-triyl)tribenzoic acid, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, DMF = dimethylformamide), was constructed based on bipy-pillared honeycomb bilayers and showed the unusual 2D→3D polycatenation of bilayers.     

Synthesis of isoreticular zinc(II)-phosphonocarboxylate frameworks and their application in the Friedel-Crafts benzylation reaction

Three isoreticular zinc(II)-phosphonocarboxylate frameworks, namely {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)]·2H(3)O}(n) (ZnPC-2), {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)]·Hpd·H(3)O·4H(2)O}(n) (Hpd@ZnPC-2) and {[Co(1.5)Zn(1.5)(pbdc)(2)]·2H(3)O}(n) (CoZnPC-2) (H(4)pbdc=5-phosphonobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, pd=pyrrolidine), were solvothermally synthesized. ZnPC-2 has a 3D structure based on trinuclear Zn(II) clusters (Zn(3)-SBU) showing 3D interconnected channels. Hpd@ZnPC-2 contains an isoreticular framework of ZnPC-2 with small channels blocked by Hpd molecules. In CoZnPC-2, Zn(II) ions in ZnPC-2 are partially substituted by Co(II) ions. The Friedel-Crafts benzylation reactions were carried out over these isoreticular porous materials. The catalytic results reveal that ZnPC-2 is an excellent heterogeneous Lewis acid catalyst with a high selectivity (>90%) towards less bulky para-oriented products. The catalytic reaction has been proved to occur inside the pore of ZnPC-2, and the immobilized Zn(3)-SBUs are the active sites.     

High heat of hydrogen adsorption and guest-responsive magnetic modulation in a 3D porous pillared-layer coordination framework

A bimetallic pillared-layer coordination framework {[Mn(3)(bipy)(3)(H(2)O)(4)][Cr(CN)(6)](2)·2(bipy)·4(H(2)O)}(n) has been constructed using a cyanometallate anion ([Cr(CN)(6)](3-)) and an organic linker (4,4'-bipyridyl) that provides high heat of hydrogen adsorption (～11.5 kJ mol(-1)) and shows guest dependent magnetic modulation.     

Systematic exploration of a rutile-type zinc(II)-phosphonocarboxylate open framework: the factors that influence the structure

To systematically explore the assembly mechanism of a rutile-type open framework of {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)]·2H(3)O}(n) (3) (H(4)pbdc = 5-phosphonobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid) constructed by 3-connected pbdc ligands and 6-connected Zn(3)(CO(2))(4)(PO(3))(2) secondary building units (Zn(3)-SBUs), three major factors including solvothermal procedures, types of solvents and amines, are taken into consideration. Seven novel structures, namely {[Zn(5)(pbdc)(2)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(4)]·4H(2)O}(n) (1), {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)·H(2)O]·(Htea)·H(3)O·2-5(H(2)O)}(n) (2), {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)](H(3)O)(2)(dma)}(n) (4), {[Zn(2)(pbdc)(taea)]·3H(2)O}(n) (5), {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)(Hpda)(2)]·2H(2)O}(n) (6), {[Zn(5)(pbdc)(2)(Hpbdc)(2)]·2H(2)pz·9H(2)O}(n) (7), {[Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)]·Hpd·H(3)O·4H(2)O}(n) (8) are obtained. The results indicate that the layered-solvothermal method and the isopropanol solvent play crucial roles in the construction of the special anionic open framework of [Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)](2-). Changing these two factors led molecular assembly away from the rutile-type open framework. However, amines play a variable role in the framework, which means that by using appropriate amines, molecular assembly could generate the open framework of [Zn(3)(pbdc)(2)](2-) with pores decorated by amines. These results suggest a different approach towards decorating pores in anionic frameworks with precise structural information.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure, and luminescent properties of selected Zn(II)/Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (x = 3, 4)

Utilizing 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (x-Hpytz, x = 3; x = 4) as multidentate ligands, six novel coordination polymers with Zn(II) or Cd(II) metal ions were prepared: [Zn(3-pytz)(0.5)(OH)(0.5)Cl](n) (1, 1D ladder), {[Zn(3-Hpytz)(H(2)O)(4)] [Zn(3-Hpytz)(H(2)O)(3)·SO(4)]SO(4)·5H(2)O}(n) (2·5H(2)O, 1D chain), [Cd(3-Hpytz)(SO(4))](n) (3, 3D framework), {[Cd(3-Hyptz)SO(4)·3H(2)O]·2H(2)O}(n) (4·2H(2)O, 1D chain), [Zn(4-pytz)Cl](n) (5, 3D framework) and [Zn(2)(4-pytz)(SO(4))(OH)](n) (6, 3D framework). All compounds were obtained from hydrothermal reactions, with the exception of compound 4 which was obtained by solvent diffusion at room temperature. All compounds were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis and TGA analysis and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. All compounds exhibited substantial thermal stability and showed photofluorescent properties that resulted from ligand π-π* transition.     

Flexible porous coordination polymers constructed from 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)hydrazine via solvothermal in situ reduction of 4,4'-azopyridine

Solvothermal reactions of Zn(NO(3))(2), 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H(2)bdc), and 4,4'-azopyridine (azpy) in different conditions yielded [Zn(bdc)(bphy)]·DMF·H(2)O (1a, bphy = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)hydrazine, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) and [Zn(bdc)(bphy)]·EtOH·H(2)O (1b) with two-fold interpenetrated dmp topology and [Zn(2)(bdc)(2)(bphy)]·1.5EtOH·H(2)O (2a) and [Zn(2)(bdc)(2)(bphy)]·DMA·1.5H(2)O (2b, DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide) with two-fold interpenetrated pcu topology. The in situ reduction of azpy to bphy was confirmed by single-crystal structures and LC-MS analyses of the acid-digested crystalline samples, as well as controlled solvothermal experiments. Removal of the guest molecules in 1a/1b and 2a/2b converts the materials to guest-free phases [Zn(bdc)(bphy)] (1) and [Zn(2)(bdc)(2)(bphy)] (2), respectively, which were identified by PXRD. CO(2) sorption experiments performed at 195 and 298 K showed low porosity for 1 and gated sorption behavior for 2. At 298 K, 2 exhibits high selectivity for adsorbing CO(2) over CH(4).     

Topological Difference in 2D Layers Steers the Formation of Rigid and Flexible 3D Supramolecular Isomers: Impact on the Adsorption Properties

Starting with the same precursors, pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (pyrdc) and 4,4'-bipyridyl (bipy), two 3D porous coordination polymers, {[Cu(bipy)(0.5)(pyrdc)]·3H(2)O} (1) and {[Cu(bipy)(0.5)(pyrdc)]·0.5bipy·3H(2)O} (2), have been synthesized by changing the solvent system from MeOH/H(2)O to EtOH/H(2)O. Single-crystal structure analysis revealed that 1 and 2 are supramolecular isomers with 3D pillared-layer structures having 1D channel systems. Isomer 1 has a flexible structure and shows gated adsorption behavior, while framework 2 has a rigid backbone and exhibits the adsorption properties of typical microporous materials.     

Synthesis and crystallographic characterization of low-dimensional and porous coordination compounds capable of supramolecular aromatic interaction using the 4,4'-azobis(pyridine) ligand

Coordination compounds with a 4,4'-azobis(pyridine) (azpy) ligand, {[M2(azpy)6(H2O)5] x 4PF6 x azpy x H2O}n (M = Ni(II) (1) or Co(II) (2)) (0-dimensional (0-D) dimer), {[Zn(azpy)3(H2O)2] x 2PF6 x 2azpy x 4H2O}n (3) (1-dimensional (1-D) fishbone-type chain), {[Ag(azpy)] x PF6}n (4) (1-D linear chain), {[Mn(NCS)2(azpy)2] x azpy}n (5) (2-dimensional (2-D) grid sheet), and {[Ni(NCS)2(azpy)2] x 3toluene}n (6) (2-D grid sheet), were synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 have a 0-D dimer motif, in which one M(II) (M(II) = Ni(II) or Co(II)) coordination site is shared by unidentate azpy and H2O ligands, each with half-occupancy, i.e., exhibiting static disorder. Compounds 3 and 4 afford 1-D fishbone-type and 1-D linear chain motifs, respectively. Azpy mediates pi-pi and pi-p interactions between these low-dimensional structures. Compounds 5 and 6 possess a 2-D grid sheet motif. These sheets assemble to form microporous frameworks that incorporate aromatic guests, such as coordination-free azpy (5) and toluene (6). There exist not only pi-pi and pi-p interactions but also CH-pi interactions between the framework azpy ligands and guests. It should be noted that the azpy ligand is a good candidate for the construction of new assembling systems of coordination compounds through its aromatic interactions.     

Distinct structures of coordination polymers incorporating flexible triazole-based ligand: topological diversities, crystal structures and property studies

Six new coordination polymers, namely {[Zn(btec)(0.5)(btmb)]·2H(2)O}(n) (1), {[Co(btec)(0.5)(btmb)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O}(n) (2), {[Cu(btec)(0.5)(btmb)]·H(2)O}(n) (3), {[Cu(4)(btc)(4)(btmb)(4)]·H(2)O}(n) (4), {[Co(3)(bta)(2)(btmb)(2)]·2H(2)O}(n) (5), [Co(Hbta)(btmb)](n) (6) (H(4)btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate, H(3)btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, H(3)bta = 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate and btmb = 4,4'-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl), have been successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. All these complexes were structurally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR, TGA and XRD. Crystal structural analysis reveals that 1 is the first example of an unusual 3D framework with (8(6)) topology containing a 2D molecular fabric structure. Complex 2 exhibits a 3D NbO network with (6(4)·8(2)) topology. In 3, Cu(II) ions are coordinated by anti-conformational btmb ligands to form left- and right-handed double helices, which are further bridged by the 4-connected btec(4-) anions to give a 3D porous network. Complex 4 presents a rare 3D gra network structure with (6(3))(6(9)·8) topology. 5 and 6 were obtained through controllable pH values of solution, 5 features a scarce binodal (3,8)-connected tfz-d framework with the trinuclear Co(II) clusters acting as nodes, whereas 6 has an extended 2D 4(4) grid-like layer and the adjacent 2D layers are interconnected by strong hydrogen bonding interactions into a 3D supramolecular framework. The structural diversities indicate that distinct organic acid ligands, the nature of metal ions and the pH value play crucial roles in modulating the formation of the resulting coordination complexes and the connectivity of the ultimate topological nets. Moreover, magnetic susceptibility measurement of 5 indicates the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions between the Co(II) ions bridged by carboxylate groups.     

Terbium(III), europium(III), and mixed terbium(III)-europium(III) mucicate frameworks: hydrophilicity and stoichiometry-dependent color tunability

Two 3D porous terbium(III) mucicate frameworks, {[Tb(2)(Mu(2-))(3)(H(2)O)(2)]·4H(2)O}(n) (1) and {[Tb(Mu(2-))(Ox(2-))(0.5)(H(2)O)]·H(2)O}(n) (2), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by changing the pH of the reaction medium. Isostructural europium(III) and seven mixed terbium(III)-europium(III) mucicates were synthesized by doping different percentages of Eu(III) under similar reaction conditions and unveiling different emission colors ranging from green to red under the same wavelength. Both dehydrated Tb(III) metal-organic frameworks exhibit selective H(2)O vapor sorption over other solvent molecules (MeOH, MeCN, and EtOH) of less polarity and bigger size and have been correlated to the highly hydrophilic pore surfaces decorated with -OH groups and O atoms from the carboxyl groups of mucicate.     

Three-dimensional metal-organic framework with highly polar pore surface: H2 and CO2 storage characteristics

A three-dimensional (3D) pillared-layer metal-organic framework, [Cd(bipy)(0.5)(Himdc)](DMF)](n) (1), (bipy =4,4'-bipyridine and Himdc = 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The highly rigid and stable framework contains a 3D channel structure with highly polar pore surfaces decorated with pendant oxygen atoms of the Himdc linkers. The desolvated framework [Cd(bipy)(0.5)(Himdc)](n) (1') is found to exhibit permanent porosity with high H(2) and CO(2) storage capacities. Two H(2) molecules occluded per unit formula of 1' and the corresponding heat of H(2) adsorption (ΔH(H2)) is about ～9.0 kJ/mol. The high value of ΔH(H2) stems from the preferential electrostatic interaction of H(2) with the pendent oxygen atoms of Himdc and aromatic bipy linkers as determined from first-principles density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. Similarly, DFT studies indicate CO(2) to preferentially interact electrostatically (C(δ+)···O(δ-)) with the uncoordinated pendent oxygen of Himdc. It also interacts with bipy through C-H···O bonding, thus rationalizing the high heat (ΔH(CO2) ～ 35.4 kJ/mol) of CO(2) uptake. Our work unveiled that better H(2) or CO(2) storage materials can be developed through the immobilization of reactive hetero atoms (O, N) at the pore surfaces in a metal-organic framework.     

Zn(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers assembled by di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methane and carboxylic acid ligands

Five new Zn(II)/Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methane (L) mixed with different auxiliary carboxylic acid ligands formulated as [Zn(L)(H(2)L(1))(2)·(H(2)O)(0.2)](n) (1), {[Zn(L)(L(2))]·H(2)O}(n) (2), {[Cd(2)(L)(2)(L(2))(2)]·2H(2)O}(n) (3), {[Cd(L)(L(3))]·H(2)O}(n) (4) and [Cd(L)(L(4))](n) (5) (H(3)L(1) = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, H(2)L(2) = 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid), H(2)L(3) = m-phthalic acid and H(2)L(4) = p-phthalic acid) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized. Four related auxiliary carboxylic acids were chosen to examine the influences on the construction of these coordination frameworks with distinct dimensionality and connectivity. The coordination arrays of 1-5 vary from 1D zigzag chain for 1, 2D (4,4) layer for 2-4, to 2-fold interpenetrated 3D coordination network with the α-Po topology for 5. The thermal and photoluminescence properties of complexes 1-5 in the solid state have also been investigated.     

Temperature-controlled chiral and achiral copper tetrazolate metal-organic frameworks: syntheses, structures, and I2 adsorption

Four tetrazole-based three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Cu(II)(btz)]·0.5H(2)O}(n) (1), [Cu(II)(btz)](n) (1'), {[Cu(II)(btz)]·0.5I(2)}(n) (1'·0.5I(2)), and [Cu(II)Cu(I)(2)(btz)(2)](n) (2) [H(2)btz = 1,5-bis(5-tetrazolo)-3-oxapentane)], have been successfully obtained and characterized by crystallography. Compound 1 features a chiral porous framework. The bulk crystallization of 1 is composed of enantiomers 1a (P4(1)) and 1b (P4(3)), which has been demonstrated by the crystal structure analyses of nine crystals of 1 randomly selected. The Cotton effect displayed in the solid-state circular dichroism spectrum of 1 is therefore attributed to enantiomeric excess rather than enantiopurity. The completely dehydrated phase of 1, that is, 1', can adsorb 0.5 I(2) molecule per formula unit to yield compound 1'·0.5I(2), which has been supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The locations of I(2) in the pores were unambiguously determined, and the interactions between I(2) molecules and the pore structures were investigated. Compound 2 crystallizes in an achiral C2/c space group. Interestingly, the formations of chiral 1 and achiral 2 significantly depend on the reaction temperature. Between 80 and 140 °C, we got compound 1 as the only product. At 150 °C, both 1 and 2 were in coexistence in the final product. From 160 to 180 °C, only compound 2 was obtained. More interestingly, treatment of the crystals of 1 or the mixture of 1 and 2 obtained at 150 °C in their mother liquor at 170 °C yielded the crystals of 2 in a single phase.     

Formation of Zn(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers assembled by triazine-based polycarboxylate and in-situ-generated pyridine-4-thiolate or dipyridylsulfide ligands: observation of an unusual luminescence thermochromism

Three novel coordination polymers, [Cd(5)(HTTHA)(2)(Hpt)(4)(H(2)O)]·4H(2)O (1; H(6)TTHA = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine hexaacetic acid, Hpt = pyridinium-4-thiolate), {[Cd(3)(TTHA)(dps)(H(2)O)(3)](2)}·H(2)O (2), and [Zn(3)(TTHA)(dps)(H(2)O)]·5H(2)O (3; dps =4,4'-dipyridylsulfide), have been synthesized by the flexible hexapodal acid H(6)TTHA and in-situ-generated Hpt and dps ligands from a 4,4'-dipyridyldisulfide (dpds) precursor through cleavage of both S-S and S-C(sp(2)) bonds and temperature-dependent chemical rearrangement under hydrothermal conditions. Polymers 2 and 3 exhibit 3D frameworks, while in 1, the extended 3D network can be described as 2D layers further bridged via H-bond interaction. Intriguingly, the three compounds have shown an unusual luminescence thermochromism. Upon decreasing the temperature from 298 to 10 K, the emission bands grow in intensity and change in color dramatically.     

Increasing nuclearity of secondary building units in porous cobalt(II) metal-organic frameworks: variation in structure and H2 adsorption

Reaction of Co(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O with H(2)L [H(2)L = pyridine-4-(phenyl-3',5'-dicarboxylic acid)] under different reaction conditions gives three closely-related metal-organic framework polymers, {[Co(2)(L)(2)(DMF)]·n(solv)}(∞) (1), {[Co(L)]·2DMF}(∞) (2) and {[Co(3)(L)(3)(DMF)(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·n(solv)}(∞) (3). Variation in reaction conditions thus has a decisive impact on the materials isolated, producing frameworks based upon either binuclear (1, 2) or trinuclear (3) cobalt cluster nodes. Analysis of their crystal structures shows that all three contain considerable solvent-accessible volumes, an indication of porosity that is confirmed for desolvated 1 and 3, which can store up to 2.75 and 2.33 wt% of H(2) at 78 K and 20 bar, respectively.     

Enhancing gas adsorption and separation capacity through ligand functionalization of microporous metal-organic framework structures

Hydroxyl- and amino- functionalized [Zn(BDC)(TED)(0.5)]·2DMF·0.2H(2)O leads to two new structures, [Zn(BDC-OH)(TED)(0.5)]·1.5DMF·0.3H(2)O and [Zn(BDC-NH(2))(TED)(0.5)]·xDMF·yH(2)O (BDC=terephthalic acid, TED=triethylenediamine, BDC-OH=2-hydroxylterephthalic acid, BDC-NH(2)=2-aminoterephthalic acid). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that the structures of both functionalized compounds are very similar to that of their parent structure. Compound [Zn(BDC)(TED)(0.5)]·2DMF·0.2H(2)O can be considered a 3D porous structure with three interlacing 1D channels, whereas both [Zn(BDC-OH)(TED)(0.5)]·1.5DMF·0.3H(2)O and [Zn(BDC-NH(2))(TED)(0.5)]·xDMF·yH(2)O contain only 1D open channels as a result of functionalization of the BDC ligand by the OH and NH(2) groups. A notable decrease in surface area and pore size is thus observed in both compounds. Consequently, [Zn(BDC)(TED)(0.5)]·2DMF·0.2H(2)O takes up the highest amount of H(2) at low temperatures. Interestingly, however, both [Zn(BDC-OH)(TED)(0.5)]·1.5DMF·0.3H(2)O and [Zn(BDC-NH(2))(TED)(0.5)]·xDMF·yH(2)O show significant enhancement in CO(2) uptake at room temperature, suggesting that the strong interactions between CO(2) and the functionalized ligands, indicating that surface chemistry, rather than porosity, plays a more important role in CO(2) adsorption. A comparison of single-component CO(2), CH(4), CO, N(2), and O(2) adsorption isotherms demonstrates that the adsorption selectivity of CO(2) over other small gases is considerably enhanced through functionalization of the frameworks. Infrared absorption spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations are also carried out to assess the effect of functional groups on CO(2) and H(2) adsorption potentials.     

Low-dimensional porous coordination polymers based on 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)hydrazine: from structure diversity to ultrahigh CO2/CH4 selectivity

Solvothermal reactions of metal salts, benzenedicarboxylic acids, and 4,4'-azopyridine (azpy) in different conditions produced four coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(3)(bdc)(3)(bphy)(3)]·2DMF·10H(2)O (3; H(2)bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bphy = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)hydrazine, and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), [Ni(bdc)(bphy)]·DMF·3.5H(2)O (4), [Zn(nipa)(bphy)]·EtOH (5; H(2)nipa = 5-nitroisophthalic acid), and [CoBr(bdc)(0.5)(bphy)]·2DMA·H(2)O (6; DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide), in which the azpy ligand was in situ reduced. Structural determination reveals that 3-5 consist of the same metal/ligand ratio and similar coordination modes, as well as similar two-dimensional square-grid networks, but differ from their packing/interpenetration modes. 3 consists of alternately arranged single layers and interweaved double layers. Single layers in 4 directly stack in an offset fashion, while 5 is constructed of interdigitated double layers. 6 is a one-dimensional ladderlike structure, which could be regarded as that half of the bridging benzenedicarboxylate ligands in 3-5 are replaced by monodentate bromide ions. Interestingly, the crystal structures of these low-dimensional coordination polymers contain considerable solvent-accessible voids. Thermogravimetric curves, powder X-ray diffraction, and gas sorption experiments were used to study the potential porosity of these structures, which indicated that they can all reversibly desorb and adsorb solvent molecules. In particular, 4 showed gated sorption behavior and high CO(2)/CH(4) selectivity because of its flexible structure.