Isolation of a structural intermediate during switching of degree of interpenetration in a metal-organic framework

A known pillared layered metal-organic framework [Co2(ndc)2(bpy)] is shown to undergo a change in degree of interpenetration from a highly porous doubly-interpenetrated framework (2fa) to a less porous triply-interpenetrated framework (3fa). The transformation involves an intermediate empty doubly-interpenetrated phase (2fa') which has been isolated for the first time for this kind of phenomenon by altering the conditions of activation of the as-synthesized material. Interestingly, all the transformations occur in single-crystal to single-crystal fashion. Changes in degree of interpenetration have not been explored much to date and their implications with regard to the porosity of MOFs still remain largely unknown. The present study not only provides a better understanding of such dramatic structural changes in MOF materials, but also describes an original way of controlling interpenetration by carefully optimizing the temperature of activation. In addition to studying the structural mechanism of conversion from 2fa to 3fa, sorption analysis has been carried out on both the intermediate (2fa') and the triply-interpenetrated (3fa) forms to further explain the effect that switching of interpenetration mode has on the porosity of the MOF material.

CO2 separation, capture and reuse: a web themed issue

Guest editors Mohamed Eddaoudi and Len Barbour introduce this web collection celebrating current achievements and future perspectives in CO₂ separation, capture and reuse.

Concomitant polymorphs of p-iso-propylcalix[4]arene

Sublimation of p-iso-propylcalix[4]arene (form I_P) under reduced pressure results in the concomitant formation of two new polymorphs (forms II_P and III_P).

Uniaxial negative thermal expansion facilitated by weak host-guest interactions

A nitromethane solvate of 18-crown-6 was investigated by means of variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction in response to a report of abnormal unit cell contraction. Exceptionally large positive thermal expansion in two axial directions and negative thermal expansion along the third was confirmed. The underlying mechanism relies exclusively on weak electrostatic interactions to yield a linear thermal expansion coefficient of -129 × 10(-6) K(-1), the largest negative value yet observed for an organic inclusion compound.

Mono- and Binuclear Gold(I) Amido Compounds of Purine Derivatives

A series of neutral dinuclear and mononuclear gold(I) complexes with phosphine and N-bonded 9H-purin-9-ate or 9H-purin-6-ylamine-9-ate have been synthesised under basic conditions and characterised by gHSQC, 1H,13C gHMQC and 1H detected 1H,15N gHMQC experiments in addition to ESI-MS and IR spectroscopy. Intermolecular aurophilic interactions are present in the structures of polymeric 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane(9H-purin-9-ate)gold(I) 1, (3.1641(4) Å ) and 1,3- bis(diphenylphosphine)propane(9H-purin-9-ate)gold(I) 3, (3.52Å ). The N-Au-P angle in 1 is exceptionally small (166.3(1)°). Intramolecular aurophilic interaction (3.63 Å ) complemented by hydrogen bonding dictates the non-oligomeric structure of 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphine)propane(9H-purin- 6-ylamin-9-ate)gold(I) (7). Dimeric aurophilic interactions appear in the structure of (tributylphosphine)( 9H-purin-9-ate)gold(I) (11) (3.2311(7) Å ), while the structure in the other mononuclear compound, (triphenylphosphine)(9H-purin-9-ate)gold(I) (9) is organised by Au. . .N-interactions.

Single-crystal to single-crystal guest exchange and phase transformations in a porous metallocycle

The acetonitrile guest molecules in this porous metallocycle can be exchanged for different solvent molecules in a single-crystal to single-crystal manner. These guest exchanges are accompanied by a phase transformation in the solid state.

Diffusion of vaporous guests into a seemingly non-porous organic crystal

The tetragonal apohost phase of p-tert-butyltetramethoxythiacalix[4]arene absorbs hydrochloric acid and iodine.

A combined stretching–tilting mechanism produces negative, zero and positive linear thermal expansion in a semi-flexible Cd(ii)-MOF

A combined stretching–tilting mechanism in a Cd(ii)-MOF displays an unusual combination of thermal expansion (TE) behaviour – i.e. negative, zero and positive, which is a rare occurrence for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).