Pore with gate: enhancement of the isosteric heat of adsorption of dihydrogen via postsynthetic cation exchange in metal-organic frameworks

Three isostructural anionic frameworks {(Hdma)(H(3)O)]In(2)(L(1))(2)]·4DMF·5H(2)O}(∞) (NOTT-206-solv), {H(2)ppz]In(2)(L(2))(2)]·3.5DMF·5H(2)O}(∞) (NOTT-200-solv), and {H(2)ppz]In(2)(L(3))(2)]·4DMF·5.5H(2)O}(∞) (NOTT-208-solv) (dma = dimethylamine; ppz = piperazine) each featuring organic countercations that selectively block the channels and act as pore gates have been prepared. The organic cations within the as-synthesized frameworks can be replaced by Li(+) ions to yield the corresponding Li(+)-containing frameworks {Li(1.2)(H(3)O)(0.8)In(2)(L(1))(2)]·14H(2)O}(∞) (NOTT-207-solv), {Li(1.5)(H(3)O)(0.5)In(2)(L(2))(2)]·11H(2)O}(∞) (NOTT-201-solv), and {Li(1.4)(H(3)O)(0.6)In(2)(L(3))(2)]·4acetone·11H(2)O}(∞) (NOTT-209-solv) in which the pores are now unblocked. The desolvated framework materials NOTT-200a, NOTT-206a, and NOTT-208a display nonporous, hysteretic and reversible N(2) uptakes, respectively, while NOTT-206a and NOTT-200a provide a strong kinetic trap showing adsorption/desorption hysteresis with H(2). Single crystal X-ray analysis confirms that the Li(+) ions are either tetrahedrally (in NOTT-201-solv and NOTT-209-solv) or octahedrally (in NOTT-207-solv) coordinated by carboxylate oxygen atoms and/or water molecules. This is supported by (7)Li solid-state NMR spectroscopy. NOTT-209a, compared with NOTT-208a, shows a 31% enhancement in H(2) storage capacity coupled to a 38% increase in the isosteric heat of adsorption to 12 kJ/mol at zero coverage. Thus, by modulating the pore environment via postsynthetic cation exchange, the gas adsorption properties of the resultant MOF can be fine-tuned. This affords a methodology for the development of high capacity storage materials that may operate at more ambient temperatures.