Metal-organic frameworks MOF-808-X as highly efficient catalysts for direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and methanol

A series of metal-organic frameworks MOF-808-X (6-connected) were synthesized by regulating the ZrOCl₂·8H₂O/1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) molar ratio (X) and tested for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO₂ and CH₃OH with 1,1,1-trimethoxymethane (TMM) as a dehydrating agent. The effect of the ZrOCl₂·8H₂O/BTC molar ratio on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of MOF-808-X was investigated. Results showed that a proper ZrOCl₂·8H₂O/BTC molar ratio during MOF-808-X synthesis was fairly important to reduce the redundant BTC or zirconium clusters trapped in the micropores of MOF-808-X. MOF-808-4, with almost no redundant BTC or zirconium clusters trapped in the micropores, exhibited the largest surface area, micropore size, and the number of acidic-basic sites, and consequently showed the best activity among all MOF-808-X, with the highest DMC yield of 21.5% under the optimal reaction conditions. Moreover, benefiting from the larger micropore size, MOF-808-4 outperformed our previously reported UiO-66-24 (12-connected), which had even more acidic-basic sites and larger surface area than MOF-808-4, mainly because the larger micropore size of MOF-808-4 provided higher accessibility for the reactant to the active sites located in the micropores. Furthermore, a possible reaction mechanism over MOF-808-4 was proposed based on the in situ FT-IR results. The effects of different reaction parameters on DMC formation and the reusability of MOF-808-X were also studied.     

Low-Concentration C2H6 Capture Enabled by Size Matching in the Ultramicropore

Low-concentration ethane capture is crucial for environmental protection and natural gas purification. The ideal physisorbent with strong C₂H₆ interaction and large C₂H₆ uptake at low-concentration level has rarely been reported, due to the large pK_a value and small quadrupole moment of C₂H₆. Herein, we demonstrate the perfectly size matching between the ultramicropore (pore size of 4.6 Å) and ethane (kinetic diameter of 4.4 Å) in a nickel pyridine-4-carboxylate metal–organic framework (IISERP-MOF 2 ), which enables the record-breaking performance for low concentration C₂H₆ capture. IISERP-MOF 2 exhibits the large C₂H₆ adsorption enthalpy of 56.7 kJ/mol, and record-high C₂H₆ uptake at low pressure of 0.01–0.1 bar and 298 K (1.8 mmol/g at 0.01 bar). Molecule simulations and C₂H₆-loading crystal structure analysis revealed that the maximized interaction sites in IISERP-MOF 2 with ethane molecule originates the strong C₂H₆ adsorption. The dynamic breakthrough experiments for gas mixtures of C₂H₆/N₂(1/999, v/v) and C₂H₆/CH₄ (5/95, v/v) proved the excellent low-concentration C₂H₆ capture performance.     

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.     

Tailoring a robust Al-MOF for trapping C2H6 and C2H2 towards efficient C2H4 purification from quaternary mixtures

Light hydrocarbon separation is considered one of the most industrially challenging and desired chemical separation processes and is highly essential in polymer and chemical industries. Among them, separating ethylene (C₂H₄) from C2 hydrocarbon mixtures such as ethane (C₂H₆), acetylene (C₂H₂), and other natural gas elements (CO₂, CH₄) is of paramount importance and poses significant difficulty. We demonstrate such separations using an Al-MOF synthesised earlier as a non-porous material, but herein endowed with hierarchical porosity created under microwave conditions in an equimolar water/ethanol solution. The material possessing a large surface area (793 m² g⁻¹) exhibits an excellent uptake capacity for major industrial hydrocarbons in the order of C₂H₂ > C₂H₆ > CO₂ > C₂H₄ > CH₄ under ambient conditions. It shows an outstanding dynamic breakthrough separation of ethylene (C₂H₄) not only for a binary mixture (C₂H₆/C₂H₄) but also for a quaternary combination (C₂H₄/C₂H₆/C₂H₂/CO₂ and C₂H₄/C₂H₆/C₂H₂/CH₄) of varying concentrations. The detailed separation/purification mechanism was unveiled by gas adsorption isotherms, mixed-gas adsorption calculations, selectivity estimations, advanced computer simulations such as density functional theory (DFT), grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), and stepwise multicomponent dynamic breakthrough experiments.

Industrially important C₂H₄ purification from multi-component hydrocarbon mixtures.     

Study of the Cycloaddition of CO2 with Styrene Oxide Over Six-Connected spn Topology MOFs (Zr,Hf) at Room Temperature

A series of MOFs with a 6-connected spn topology were synthesized (MOF-808-(Zr, Hf), PCN-777-(Zr, Hf), MOF-818-(Zr, Hf)). Through the in situ DRIFTS of NH₃ adsorption-desorption, we found that the activated catalyst mainly contains Lewis acid sites. The effects of different organic ligands on the Lewis acid of the Zr₆ cluster were analyzed by XPS and NH₃-TPD, and the relative Lewis acidity of the same metal was obtained: PCN-777>MOF-808>MOF-818. In the Py-FTIR results, we confirmed that MOF-818 has a higher acid site density. In the activity test, MOFs with mesoporous structure showed better catalytic activity under normal temperature and pressure. Among them, MOF-818 can still maintain a high degree of crystallinity after catalysis. Finally, we use density functional theory to propose the mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction of carbon dioxide and styrene oxide. The results show that the metal is coordinated with styrene oxide and halogens attack the β carbon of the epoxide.     

Ferrocene Derivatives of Valine and Leucine

Methyl and ethyl esters of valine and leucine were reacted with ferrocenecarbaldehyde to obtain azomethines (C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄CH=NCHRCOOR′) whose reactions with sodium borohydride provide ferrocenylmethyl derivatives (C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄CH₂NHCHR⋅COOR′) [R=(CH₃)₂CH, (CH₃)₂CHCH₂; R′ = CH₃, C₂H₅]. The latter compounds react with sodium hydroxide to give, after treatment of the reaction mixtures with acetic acid, N-substituted amino acids (C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄CH₂NHCHRCOOH).__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 6, 2005, pp. 1046–1048.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Popova, Yurashevich, Cherevin, Gulevich, Reshetova, Knizhnikov.     

One-pot microwave-assisted solvent-free synthesis,theoretical and experimental studies on barrier rotation of C–N bond of N-alkenyl-1,2,3-triazoles

The reactions on benzotriazoles continue to happen to reach interesting varieties of their derivatives. This study reports a fast one-pot microwave-assisted solvent-free synthesis of N-alkenyl-1,2,3-benzotriazole (3, 5, and 7) and 1-(2-Alkyloxycarbonyl-vinyl)-1H-[1–3] triazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (8 and 9) derivatives by nucleophilic addition reactions of 1,2,3-benzotriazole (C₆H₅N₃) (1) and 1H-[1–3] triazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (C₄H₄N₃O₂) (1′) with R-propiolates (R = Me, Et; 2 & 4) and phenylacetylene 6 in good yields. The values of activation energy for rotation around C–N bond in the synthesized N-alkenyl-1,2,3-triazole compounds were studied by DFT-B3LYP/6-31G* method.     

Kristall- und MolekülStruktur von 2(C6H5)3AsO · H2SeO3

Crystal and Molecular Structure of 2(C₆H₅)₃AsO · H₂SeO₃ 2(C₆H₅)₃AsO · H₂SeO₃ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2—C_2v¹⁹, with a = 20.472(9), b = 32.747(1) and c = 10.008(8) Å and Z = 8; d (calc./obs.) = 1.52₇/1.52 g · cm^?3. The structure has been determined from 808 independent reflections by Patterson- and Fouriersyntheses, and has been refined by least squares methods to R = 0.056. In the compound two (C₆H₅)₃AsO-units and one selenite group are linked by short H-bonds [O …? H …? O-distance 2.48(4) resp. 2.35(4) Å]. The As? O-distances are 1.64(9), the Se? O-distances are 1.69(3), 1.83(3), resp. 1.76(3) Å.     

A shock tube study of methyl-methyl reactions between 1200 and 2400 K

The methyl-methyl reaction was studied in a shock tube using uv narrowline laser absorption to measure time-varying concentration profiles of CH₃. Methyl radicals were rapidly formed initially by pyrolysis of various precursors, azomethane, ethane, or methyl iodide, dilute in argon. The contributions of the various product channels, C₂H₆, C₂H₅ + H, C₂H₄ + H₂, and CH₂ + CH₄, were examined by varying reactant mixtures and temperature. The measured rate coefficients for recombination to C₂H₆ between 1200 and 1800 K are accurately fit using the unimolecular rate coefficients reported by Wagner and Wardlaw (1988). The rate coefficient for the C₂H₅ + H channel was found to be 2.4 (±0.5) × 10¹³ exp(?6480/T) [cm³/mol-s] between 1570 and 1780 K, and is in agreement with the value reported by Frank and Braun-Unkhoff (1988). No evidence of a contribution by the C₂H₄ + H₂ channel was found in ethane/methane/argon mixtures, although methyl profiles in these mixtures should be particularly sensitive to this channel. An upper limit of approximately 10¹¹ [cm³/mol-s] over the range 1700 to 2200 K was inferred for the rate coefficient of the C₂H₄ + H₂ channel. Between 1800 and 2200 K, methyl radicals are also rapidly removed by CH₃ + H ? ¹CH₂ + H₂. In this temperature range, the reverse reaction was found to have a rate coefficient of 1.3 (±0.3) × 10¹⁴ [cm³/mol-s], which is 1.8 times the room-temperature value. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Komplexe der Alkalimetalltetraphenylborate mit makrocyclischen Kronenethern

Complexes of the Alkali Metal Tetraphenylborates with Macrocyclic Crown Ethers Alkali metal tetraphenylborates, MB(C₆H₅)₄ (M = Li to Cs), react in tetrahydrofuran with macrocyclic crown ethers to give complexes of the general formula MB(C₆H₅)₄(crown)_m(THF)_n. Suitable single crystals for X‐ray structure analysis were grown from a solvent mixture of tetrahydrofuran and n‐hexane. The salt like complexes [Li(12‐crown‐4)(thf)][B(C₆H₅)₄] ( 1 ), [Na(15‐crown‐5)(thf)][B(C₆H₅)₄] ( 2 ), and [Cs(18‐crown‐6)₂][B(C₆H₅)₄] · THF ( 6 ), the mononuclear molecular complexes [KB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)(thf)] ( 3 ), [RbB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)] ( 4 ), and [CsB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)] · THF ( 5 ), and the compound [CsB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)]₂[Cs(18‐crown‐6)₂][B(C₆H₅)₄] ( 7 ), which contains a binuclear molecule ([CsB(C₆H₅)₄(18‐crown‐6)]₂) beside a [Cs(18‐crown‐6)₂]⁺ cation and a [B(C₆H₅)₄]^? anion, are described. All compounds are charactarized by infrared spectra, elemental analysis, NMR‐spectroscopy, and X‐ray single crystal structure analysis.     

Thermal decomposition of ethane in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of ethane was studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 1200–1700 K and over the pressure range 1.7?2.5 atm, by both tracing the time variation of absorption at 3.39 μm and analyzing the concentration of the reacted gas mixtures. The mechanism to interpret well not only the earlier stage of C₂H₆ decomposition, but also the later stage was determined. The rate constant of reactions, C₂H₆ → CH₃ + CH₃, C₂H₆ + C₂H₃ → C₂H₅ + C₂H₄, C₂H₅ → C₂H₄ + H were calculated. The rate constants of the other reactions were also discussed.     

Highly Robust Microporous Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Ethylene Purification under Dry and Humid Conditions

Two C₂H₆-selective metal-organic framework (MOF) adsorbents with ultrahigh stability, high surface areas, and suitable pore size have been designed and synthesized for one-step separation of ethane/ethylene (C₂H₆/C₂H₄) under humid conditions to produce polymer-grade pure C₂H₄. Experimental results reveal that these two MOFs not only adsorb a high amount of C₂H₆ but also display good C₂H₆/C₂H₄ selectivity verified by fixed bed column breakthrough experiments. Most importantly, the good water stability and hydrophobic pore environments make these two MOFs capable of efficiently separating C₂H₆/C₂H₄ under humid conditions, exhibiting the benchmark performance among all reported adsorbents for separation of C₂H₆/C₂H₄ under humid conditions. Moreover, the affinity sites and their static adsorption energies were successfully revealed by single crystal data and computation studies. Adsorbents described in this work can be used to address major chemical industrial challenges.     

New Dinuclear Ru2(CO)4 Sawhorse‐Type Complexes Containing Bridging Carboxylato Ligands

The thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with ethacrynic acid, 4‐[bis(2‐chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid (chlorambucil), or 4‐phenylbutyric acid in refluxing solvents, followed by addition of two‐electron donor ligands (L), gives the diruthenium complexes Ru₂(CO)₄(O₂CR)₂L₂ ( 1 : R = CH₂O‐C₆H₂Cl₂‐COC(CH₂)C₂H₅, L = C₅H₅N; 2 : R = CH₂O‐C₆H₂Cl₂‐COC(CH₂)C₂H₅, L = PPh₃; 3 : R = C₃H₆‐C₆H₄‐N(C₂H₄‐Cl)₂, L = C₅H₅N; 4 : R = C₃H₆‐C₆H₄‐N(C₂H₄‐Cl)₂, L = PPh₃; 5 : R = C₃H₆‐C₆H₅, L = C₅H₅N; 6 : R = C₃H₆‐C₆H₅, L = PPh₃). The single‐crystal structure analyses of 2 , 3 , 5 and 6 reveal a dinuclear Ru₂(CO)₄ sawhorse structure, the diruthenium backbone being bridged by the carboxylato ligands, while the two L ligands occupy the axial positions of the diruthenium unit.     

Synthesis,characterization and molecular docking of new C,N‐palladacycles containing pyridinium‐derived ligands: DNA and BSA interaction studies and evaluation as anti‐tumor agents

Four new monomeric Pd (II) complexes with formulas [Pd(C,N)‐(2′‐NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄ (N₃)(L)] ( A ), ( B ) and [Pd(C,N)‐C₆H₄CH₂NH(C₄H₉)(N₃)(L)] ( C ), ( D ), [L = isonicotinamide for ( A ) and ( C ), L = 4‐N,N‐dimethylaminopyridine for ( B ) and ( D )] have been synthesized using four initial dimers [Pd₂{(C,N)‐(2′‐NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}₂(μ‐OAc)₂] ( 1 ), [Pd₂{(C,N)‐ (2′‐NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}₂(μ‐N₃)₂] ( 3 ) for A and C , and [Pd₂{(C,N)‐C₆H₄CH₂NH(C₄H₉)}₂(μ‐OAc)₂] ( 2 ) and [Pd₂{(C,N)‐C₆H₄CH₂NH(C₄H₉)}₂(μ‐N₃)₂] ( 4 ) for B and D . Then synthesized complexes have been characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared, NMR spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric‐differential thermal analysis. Furthermore, UV–Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and helix melting temperature measurements have been employed to study the binding interaction of them with calf thymus‐deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The results reveal that all synthesized complexes can interact with DNA via groove‐binding mode. Bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐binding studies have been carried out using UV–Vis spectroscopy, emission titration and CD. However, competitive binding studies using warfarin, ibuprofen and digoxin on site markers demonstrated that the complexes bind to different sites on BSA. The results also indicated that the binding site was mainly located within site‐III for complex A , and site‐I for complexes B , C and D of BSA. In addition, molecular docking studies have been executed to determine the binding site of the DNA and BSA with complexes. Eventually, in vitro cytotoxicity of synthesized palladium complexes and cisplatin were carried out against human promyelocytic leukemia cancer (Hela) and breast cancer (MCF‐7) cell lines. Pursuant to the IC₅₀ values, the cytotoxicity of complexes against MCF‐7 was more than Hela.     

Studies on organophosphorus compounds XLVIII Synthesis of Dithioesters from P,S-Containing Reagents and Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives

2,4-Bismethylthio-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4- disulfide, IIa, is prepared from 0,0-dimethyldithiophosphoric acid, Ia, and P₄S₁₀ at 160°C. 2,4-Bis(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4- dithiadiphsophetane 2,4-disulfide, IIc, and 2,4-bis(4-phenylthiolophenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulfide, IId, are prepared at l60°C from P₄ S₁₀ and diphenylether and diphenylsulfides, respectively. Carboxylic acids RCOOH(R = CH₃ C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, C₆H₅CH₂, C₆H₈) react with compound Ia at 130°C to give the corresponding methyl dithioesters. Carboxylic acids RCOOH (R = C₆H₈-CH₂, C₆H₈) react with compound Ib at 200°C for 15 min to give the corresponding ethyl dithioesters, while low boiling acids (R = CH₃, C₂H₈, n-C₃H₇) yielded mixtures of the corresponding ethyl dithioester and ethyl carboxylate. Carboxylic acid chlorides RCOCl (R = ClCH₂, C₂H₅, t-C₄H₅ C₆H₅CH₂, C₆H₅, P-NO₂C₆H₄) react with compound IIa at 80°C to give the corresponding methyl dithioesters in good yields. S-Substituted thioesters react with IIC at 85°C to give the corresponding dithioesters in good yields. Dihydro2(3H)-furanone, VI, and 5-methyl-2(3H)-furanone, VII, react with IIa at 80°C; to dihydro-2(3H)-thiophenethione, VIII and 2,2'-dithiobis(5-methyl thiophene),IX, respectively. Also XI reacts with IIa,IIc, and IId to give VIII in nearly quantitative yields.     

Behavior of ethylene and ethane within single-walled carbon nanotubes. 1-Adsorption and equilibrium properties

Endohedral adsorption properties of ethylene and ethane onto single-walled carbon nanotubes were investigated using a united atom (2CLJQ) and a fully atomistic (AA-OPLS) force fields, by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics techniques. Pure fluids were studied at room temperature, T=300 K, and in the pressure ranges 4×10⁻⁴<p<47.1 bar (C₂H₄) and 4×10⁻⁴<p<37.9 bar (C₂H₆). In the low pressure region, isotherms differ quantitatively depending on the intermolecular potential used, but show the same qualitative features. Both potentials predict that ethane is preferentially adsorbed at low pressures, and the opposite behavior was observed at high loadings. Isosteric heats of adsorption and estimates of low pressure Henry’s constants, confirmed that ethane adsorption is the thermodynamically favored process at low pressures. Binary mixtures of C₂H₄/C₂H₆ were studied under several (p,T) conditions and the corresponding selectivities towards ethane, S, were evaluated. Small values of S<4 were found in all cases studied. Nanotube geometry plays a minor role on the adsorption properties, which seem to be driven at lower pressures primarily by the larger affinity of the alkane towards the carbon surface and at higher pressures by molecular volume and packing effects. The fact that the selectivity towards ethane is similar to that found earlier on carbon slit pores and larger diameter nanotubes points to the fact that the peculiar 1-D geometry of the nanotubes provides no particular incentive for the adsorption of either species.     

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of a new ring-chain tautomerism of some pyridazine derivatives

The ¹³C NMR spectra of a number of pyridazine derivatives have been recorded in DMSO-d₆ solution and analysed. Examination of the most diagnostic resonances, with particular emphasis on those arising from the pyridazine ring system, enabled the ready establishment of the presence of a ring-chain tautomerism in 5-(o-aminophenylcarbamoyl)pyridazine-4-carboxylic acid, methyl 5-(o-aminophenylcarbamoyl)pyridazine-4-carboxylate, 5-(o-aminophenylcarbamoyl)-3,6,-dimethylpyridazine-4-carboxylic acid and 5-(2-amino-1,2-dicyanovinylenecarbamoyl)pyridazine-4-carboxylic acid. This gave rise to 3′,4′-dihydro-3′-oxospiro[pyridazine-5(2H),2′(1H)-quinoxaline]-4-carboxylic acid, methyl 3′,4′-dihydro-3′oxospiro[pyridazine-5(2H),2′(1′H)-quinoxaline]-4-carboxylate, 3′,4′-dihydro-3′-oxo-3,6-dimethylspiro[pyridazine-5(2H), 2′(1′H)-quinoxaline]-4-carboxylic acid and 5-oxo-2,3-dicyano-1,4,8,9-tetraazaspiro[5.5]undeca-2,7,10-triene-11-carboxylic acid, respectively.     

Synthesis of Branched Polyethylene by Tandem Catalysis

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) can be prepared by addition of ethylene to a mixture of two catalysts. In this “tandem catalysis” scheme one catalyst dimerizes or oligomerizes ethylene to α‐olefins while the second site incorporates these α‐olefins into a growing polyethylene chain. A variety of classical catalyst combinations are available for this purpose. Better control over the polymerization process, and therefore product properties, is attained by the use of homogenous “single site” catalysts. The best‐behaved tandem processes take advantage of well‐defined catalysts that require stoichiometric quantities of activators. One such system employs [(C₆H₅)₂PC₆H₄C(OB(C₆F₅)₃)O‐κ²P,O]Ni(η³‐CH₂CMeCH₂) and {[(η⁵‐C₅Me₄)SiMe₂(η¹‐NCMe₃)]TiMe}{MeB(C₆F₅)₃}. The nickel sites are responsible for converting ethylene to 1‐butene or mixtures of 1‐butene with 1‐hexene. These olefins are copolymerized with ethylene at the titanium sites. It is possible to obtain a linear correlation between the branching content in the polymer product and the Ni/Ti ratio. The effect of ligand substitution at nickel has also been investigated. When the benzyl derivative [(C₆H₅)₂PC₆H₄C(O‐B(C₆F₅)₃)O‐κ²P,O]Ni(η³‐CH₂C₆H₅) is used instead of the methallyl counterpart [(C₆H₅)₂PC₆H₄C(OB(C₆F₅)₃)O‐κ²P,O]Ni(η³‐CH₂CMeCH₂), one obtains, at a constant Ni/Ti ratio, considerably more branching in the final polymer structure. These results are rationalized in terms of a more efficient initiation when the more labile benzyl ligand is used.     

Topological Design of Unprecedented Metal-Organic Frameworks Featuring Multiple Anion Functionalities and Hierarchical Porosity for Benchmark Acetylene Separation

Separation of acetylene (C₂H₂) from carbon dioxide (CO₂) or ethylene (C₂H₄) is industrially important but still challenging so far. Herein, we developed two novel robust metal organic frameworks AlFSIX-Cu-TPBDA (ZNU-8) with znv topology and SIFSIX-Cu-TPBDA (ZNU-9) with wly topology for efficient capture of C₂H₂ from CO₂ and C₂H₄. Both ZNU-8 and ZNU-9 feature multiple anion functionalities and hierarchical porosity. Notably, ZNU-9 with more anionic binding sites and three distinct cages displays both an extremely large C₂H₂ capacity (7.94 mmol/g) and a high C₂H₂/CO₂ (10.3) or C₂H₂/C₂H₄ (11.6) selectivity. The calculated capacity of C₂H₂ per anion (4.94 mol/mol at 1 bar) is the highest among all the anion pillared metal organic frameworks. Theoretical calculation indicated that the strong cooperative hydrogen bonds exist between acetylene and the pillared SiF₆²⁻ anions in the confined cavity, which is further confirmed by in situ IR spectra. The practical separation performance was explicitly demonstrated by dynamic breakthrough experiments with equimolar C₂H₂/CO₂ mixtures and 1/99 C₂H₂/C₂H₄ mixtures under various conditions with excellent recyclability and benchmark productivity of pure C₂H₂ (5.13 mmol/g) or C₂H₄ (48.57 mmol/g).