Direct Structural Identification of Gas Induced Gate‐Opening Coupled with Commensurate Adsorption in a Microporous Metal–Organic Framework

Gate‐opening is a unique and interesting phenomenon commonly observed in flexible porous frameworks, where the pore characteristics and/or crystal structures change in response to external stimuli such as adding or removing guest molecules. For gate‐opening that is induced by gas adsorption, the pore‐opening pressure often varies for different adsorbate molecules and, thus, can be applied to selectively separate a gas mixture. The detailed understanding of this phenomenon is of fundamental importance to the design of industrially applicable gas‐selective sorbents, which remains under investigated due to the lack of direct structural evidence for such systems. We report a mechanistic study of gas‐induced gate‐opening process of a microporous metal–organic framework, [Mn(ina)₂] (ina=isonicotinate) associated with commensurate adsorption, by a combination of several analytical techniques including single crystal X‐ray diffraction, in situ powder X‐ray diffraction coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (XRD‐DSC), and gas adsorption–desorption methods. Our study reveals that the pronounced and reversible gate opening/closing phenomena observed in [Mn(ina)₂] are coupled with a structural transition that involves rotation of the organic linker molecules as a result of interaction of the framework with adsorbed gas molecules including carbon dioxide and propane. The onset pressure to open the gate correlates with the extent of such interaction.     

Reverse‐Selective Microporous Membrane for Gas Separation

Sort the bigs from the smalls : Reverse‐selective membranes, through which bigger molecules selectively permeate, are attractive for developing chemical processes. A new adsorption‐based reverse‐selective membrane that utilizes a Na cation occluded in a zeolitic framework is presented. The membrane developed enables the selective permeation and separation of bigger polar molecules, such as methanol and water, from hydrogen above 473 K.

     

Separation of Xe from Kr with Record Selectivity and Productivity in Anion‐Pillared Ultramicroporous Materials by Inverse Size‐Sieving

The separation of xenon/krypton (Xe/Kr) mixture is of great importance to industry, but the available porous materials allow the adsorption of both, Xe and Kr only with limited selectivity. Herein we report an anion‐pillared ultramicroporous material NbOFFIVE‐2‐Cu‐i (ZU‐62) with finely tuned pore aperture size and structure flexibility, which for the first time enables an inverse size‐sieving effect in separation along with record Xe/Kr selectivity and ultrahigh Xe capacity. Evidenced by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, the rotation of anions and pyridine rings upon contact of larger‐size Xe atoms adapts cavities to the shape/size of Xe and allows strong host‐Xe interaction, while the smaller‐size Kr is excluded. Breakthrough experiments confirmed that ZU‐62 has a real practical potential for producing high‐purity Kr and Xe from air‐separation byproducts, showing record Kr productivity (206 mL g^?1) and Xe productivity (42 mL g^?1, in desorption) as well as good recyclability.     

Ordered Microporous Layered Lanthanide 1,3,5‐Benzenetriphosphonates Pillared with Cationic Organic Molecules

Novel isomorphous pillared‐layer‐type crystalline lanthanide 1,3,5‐benzenetriphosphonates were prepared with bpy and dbo as organic pillars (LnBP‐bpy and LnBP‐dbo; Ln: Ce, Pr, and Nd). Ab initio crystal structure solution using synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction data revealed that the organic pillars do not exist as neutral coordinating ligands but as cationic molecules. Especially the LnBP‐dbo phases have ordered interlayer space filled with water molecules between the dbo pillars, and the interlayer water is successfully removed by heating under vacuum with slightly distorted but basically retained pillared layer structures. Microporosity of the materials is confirmed by adsorption of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen gases. Such microporous layered metal phosphonates pillared with cationic molecules should be unprecedented and should offer new strategies to design ordered microporous materials.     

Microporous Polymers from a Carbazole‐Based Triptycene Monomer: Synthesis and Their Applications for Gas Uptake

Two kinds of novel organic microporous polymers TCP s ( TCP‐A and TCP‐B ) were prepared by two cost‐effective synthetic strategies from the monomer of tricarbazolyltriptycene ( TCT ). Their structure and properties were characterized by FT‐IR, solid ¹³C NMR, powder XRD, SEM, TEM, and gas absorption measurements. TCP‐B displayed a high surface area (1469 m² g^?1) and excellent H₂ storage (1.70 wt % at 1 bar/77 K) and CO₂ uptake abilities (16.1 wt % at 1 bar/273 K), which makes it a promising material for potential application in gas storage.     

Decametallic CoII‐Cluster‐Based Microporous Magnetic Framework with a Semirigid Multicoordinating Ligand

We have synthesized a microporous magnetic framework that contained supertetrahedral decametallic cobalt clusters as nodes and 4‐(tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl)pyridine ligands as linkers in a NaCl‐like network. This complex shows canted antiferromagnetism with spin‐glass behavior. After the removal of the guest molecules, the spin‐canting and spin‐glass behaviors are maintained. The permanent porosity was evaluated by N₂‐adsorption measurements. This complex mainly shows a hydrophobic nature, as validated by MeOH‐ and water‐adsorption measurements, which is consistent with the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) theoretical simulation.     

A Rod‐Packing Microporous Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework for Highly Selective Separation of C2H2/CO2 at Room Temperature

Self‐assembly of a trigonal building subunit with diaminotriazines (DAT) functional groups leads to a unique rod‐packing 3D microporous hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF‐3). This material shows permanent porosity and demonstrates highly selective separation of C₂H₂/CO₂ at ambient temperature and pressure.     

Cover Picture: Reverse‐Selective Microporous Membrane for Gas Separation (Chem. Asian J. 7/2009)

Reverse‐selective membranes , through which bigger molecules selectively permeate, are attractive for developing chemical processes utilizing hydrogen because they can maintain the high partial pressure of hydrogen required for further downstream utilization. Although several of these chemical processes are operated above 473 K, membranes with outstanding reverse‐selective separation performance at these temperatures are still to be reported. M. Matsukata et al. propose a new adsorption‐based reverse‐selective membrane that utilizes a Na cation occluded in a zeolitic framework. The membrane developed in this work enables selective permeation and separation of bigger polar molecules, such as methanol and water, from hydrogen above 473 K. For more information, see their Full Paper on page 1070 ff.

     

Reversible Switching between Highly Porous and Nonporous Phases of an Interpenetrated Diamondoid Coordination Network That Exhibits Gate‐Opening at Methane Storage Pressures

Herein, we report that a new flexible coordination network, NiL₂ (L=4‐(4‐pyridyl)‐biphenyl‐4‐carboxylic acid), with diamondoid topology switches between non‐porous (closed) and several porous (open) phases at specific CO₂ and CH₄ pressures. These phases are manifested by multi‐step low‐pressure isotherms for CO₂ or a single‐step high‐pressure isotherm for CH₄. The potential methane working capacity of NiL₂ approaches that of compressed natural gas but at much lower pressures. The guest‐induced phase transitions of NiL₂ were studied by single‐crystal XRD, in situ variable pressure powder XRD, synchrotron powder XRD, pressure‐gradient differential scanning calorimetry (P‐DSC), and molecular modeling. The detailed structural information provides insight into the extreme flexibility of NiL₂ . Specifically, the extended linker ligand, L , undergoes ligand contortion and interactions between interpenetrated networks or sorbate–sorbent interactions enable the observed switching.     

Large Entropic Effect in Flexible Crystalline Media for Gas Separation

Changing channels : The novel dynamic gas‐separation mechanism is demonstrated by a GC study for a flexible single crystal [Cu₂(bza)₄(pyz)]_n, 1 . The single‐crystal host 1 , because of its flexibility, can separate various gases by adjusting its channel structure according to the features of the guest gaseous molecules.

     

Two‐Dimensional Microporous Material‐based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Gas Separation

Since the discovery of graphene and its derivatives, the development and application of two‐dimensional (2D) materials have attracted enormous attention. 2D microporous materials, such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) and so on, hold great potential to be used in gas separation membranes because of their high aspect ratio and homogeneously distributed nanometer pores, which are beneficial for improving gas permeability and selectivity. This review briefly summarizes the recent design and fabrication of 2D microporous materials, as well as their applications in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separation. The enhanced separation performances of the membranes and their long‐term stability are also introduced. Challenges and the latest development of newly synthesized 2D microporous materials are finally discussed to foresee the potential opportunities for 2D microporous material‐based MMMs.     

Tuning the Gate‐Opening Pressure in a Switching pcu Coordination Network,X‐pcu‐5‐Zn,by Pillar‐Ligand Substitution

Coordination networks that reversibly switch between closed and open phases are of topical interest since their stepped isotherms can offer higher working capacities for gas‐storage applications than the related rigid porous coordination networks. To be of practical utility, the pressures at which switching occurs, the gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressures, must lie between the storage and delivery pressures. Here we study the effect of linker substitution to fine‐tune gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressure. Specifically, three variants of a previously reported pcu ‐topology MOF, X‐pcu‐5‐Zn , have been prepared: X‐pcu‐6‐Zn , 6 =1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane (bpe), X‐pcu‐7‐Zn , 7 =1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)acetylene (bpa), and X‐pcu‐8‐Zn , 8 =4,4′‐azopyridine (apy). Each exhibited switching isotherms but at different gate‐opening pressures. The N₂, CO₂, C₂H₂, and C₂H₄ adsorption isotherms consistently indicated that the most flexible dipyridyl organic linker, 6 , afforded lower gate‐opening and gate‐closing pressures. This simple design principle enables a rational control of the switching behavior in adsorbent materials.     

A Perylene‐Based Microporous Coordination Polymer Interacts Selectively with Electron‐Poor Aromatics

The design, synthesis, and properties of the new microporous coordination polymer UMCM‐310 are described. The unique electronic character of the perylene‐based linker enables selective interaction with electron‐poor aromatics leading to efficient separation of nitroaromatics. UMCM‐310 possesses high surface area and large pore size and thus permits the separation of large organic molecules based on adsorption rather than size exclusion.     

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.     

Conductive Microporous Covalent Triazine‐Based Framework for High‐Performance Electrochemical Capacitive Energy Storage

Nitrogen‐enriched porous nanocarbon, graphene, and conductive polymers attract increasing attention for application in supercapacitors. However, electrode materials with a large specific surface area (SSA) and a high nitrogen doping concentration, which is needed for excellent supercapacitors, has not been achieved thus far. Herein, we developed a class of tetracyanoquinodimethane‐derived conductive microporous covalent triazine‐based frameworks (TCNQ‐CTFs) with both high nitrogen content (>8 %) and large SSA (>3600 m² g^?1). These CTFs exhibited excellent specific capacitances with the highest value exceeding 380 F g^?1, considerable energy density of 42.8 Wh kg^?1, and remarkable cycling stability without any capacitance degradation after 10 000 cycles. This class of CTFs should hold a great potential as high‐performance electrode material for electrochemical energy‐storage systems.     

四苯基乙烯基共轭微孔聚合物的制备及其气体吸附

共轭微孔聚合物由于其在气体吸附与分离、非均相催化和光电子等领域的巨大应用前景而广受关注. 本文以四苯基乙烯为基本构筑单元, 通过Sonogashira-Hagihara偶联反应制备了3种共轭微孔聚合物新材料, 研究了结构组成和构建模块对制备聚合物孔性能和气体吸附性能的影响. 氮气吸附测试结果表明, 由1,1,2,2-四炔四苯基乙烯自聚合制备的TPE-CMP1具有较大的比表面积, 为1096 m²·g^-1. 在1.13 bar/273 K条件下, TPE-CMP1的CO₂吸附能力为2.36 mmol·g^-1; 在1.13 bar/77.3 K条件下, TPE-CMP1对H₂的吸附能力为1.35 wt%. 另外, 制备的共轭微孔聚合物展示出较高的CO₂/N₂选择性吸附值. 由于这类多孔聚合物材料具有合成方法简单、优良的物理化学及热稳定性、高的比表面积和CO₂吸附性能, 因此将在气体吸附与分离方面具有潜在的应用前景.     

Selective CO2 adsorption by a triazacyclononane-bridged microporous metal-organic framework

Metal-organic frameworks constructed by self-assembly of metal ions and organic linkers have recently been of great interest in the preparation of porous hybrid materials with a wide variety of functions. Despite much research in this area and the large choice of building blocks used to fine-tune pore size and structure, it remains a challenge to synthesise frameworks composed of polyamines to tailor the porosity and adsorption properties for CO(2). Herein, we describe a rigid and microporous three-dimensional metal-organic framework with the formula [Zn(2)(L)(H(2)O)]Cl (L=1,4,7-tris(4-carboxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) synthesised in a one-pot solvothermal reaction between zinc ions and a flexible cyclic polyaminocarboxylate. We have demonstrated, for the first time, that a porous rigid framework can be obtained by starting from a flexible amine building block. Sorption measurements revealed that the material exhibited a high surface area (135 m(2) g(-1)) and was the best compromise between capacity and selectivity for CO(2) over CO, CH(4), N(2) and O(2); as such it is a promising new selective adsorbent for CO(2) capture.