N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Like Catalysis by a Metal–Organic Framework Material

Metal Ion-Driven Assembly of Two New Coordination Polymers Constructed by Asymmetric Tricarboxylate and Imidazole-Containing Ligands: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Luminescent Properties

Two new coordination polymers, namely, {[Cd3(bpt)2(bimb)2]·2(H2O)}n (1) and [Zn3(bpt)2(bimb)2]n (2) (bpt = biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylate, bimb = 1,4-bis(1-imidazol-yl)-2,5-dimethyl benzene), have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterised by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Complex 1 exhibits a trinodal (4,4,4)-connected topology with Schläfli symbol of (4.62.83)4.(64.82). Complex 2 is also a three-dimensional structure and displays a (3,4,6)-connected topology with Schläfli symbol of (4.62)2.(42.66.85.102).(64.82). It is shown that the asymmetrically tricarboxylate can bear diverse structures regulated by metal ions. The photoluminescence behaviours of compounds 1 and 2 were also discussed.

Crystal structures, topologies and luminescent properties of three Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) coordination networks based on naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and different bis(imidazole) linkers

Three new coordination polymers (CPs) based on H₂ndc acid have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Three CPs exhibit structural diversity depending on different bis(imidazole) bridging ligands and center metal ions.

A novel dual-functional fluorescent chemosensor for the selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and Hg2+

A dual-functional fluorescent chemosensor for selectively detecting 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and Hg²⁺ was developed by immobilizing the rhodamine derivative onto Tb-BTC via gold.

Cation-assisted interactions between N-heterocycles and CO2

Interactions between CO₂ and N-heterocycles are greatly enhanced by divalent cations.

Highly selective adsorption and separation of aniline/phenol from aqueous solutions by microporous MIL-53(Al): a combined experimental and computational study

Experimental measurements have been combined with molecular simulations to investigate the adsorption and separation of aniline/phenol mixtures from aqueous solutions by the aluminum terephthalate MIL-53. The results show that the framework flexibility of this material plays a crucial role in the adsorption process and thus can greatly enhance the separation of the aniline/phenol mixture from their solutions. Compared with the conventional adsorbents, MIL-53(Al) shows the best performance for such systems of interest, from the points of view of both the adsorption capacities and the selectivities for aniline. The findings obtained in this work may facilitate more investigations in connection with the application of flexible nanoporous materials for the separation of organic compounds from liquid-phase environments.

A metal-organic framework containing unusual eight-connected Zr-oxo secondary building units and orthogonal carboxylic acids for ultra-sensitive metal detection

Two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with Zr-oxo secondary building units (SBUs) were prepared by using p,p'-terphenyldicarboxylate (TPDC) bridging ligands pre-functionalized with orthogonal succinic acid (MOF-1) and maleic acid groups (MOF-2). Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of MOF-1 provides the first direct evidence for eight-connected SBUs in UiO-type MOFs. In contrast, MOF-2 contains twelve-connected SBUs as seen in the traditional UiO MOF topology. These structural assignments were confirmed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. The highly porous MOF-1 is an excellent fluorescence sensor for metal ions with the detection limit of <0.5 ppb for Mn(2+) and three to four orders of magnitude greater sensitivity for metal ions than previously reported luminescent MOFs.

Study of heterogeneous catalysis by iron-squarate based 3D metal organic framework for the transformation of tetrazines to oxadiazole derivatives

We present here a simple, milder, and environmentally benign heterogeneous catalytic method for the transformation of tetrazines to oxadiazole derivatives at room temperature (25 °C) using our earlier synthesized iron-squarate based 3D metal organic framework, [Fe3(OH)3(C4O4)(C4O4)0.5]n (FeSq-MOF).

Solvent-assisted linker exchange: an alternative to the de novo synthesis of unattainable metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained considerable attention as hybrid materials-in part because of a multitude of potential useful applications, ranging from gas separation to catalysis and light harvesting. Unfortunately, de novo synthesis of MOFs with desirable function-property combinations is not always reliable and may suffer from vagaries such as formation of undesirable topologies, low solubility of precursors, and loss of functionality of the sensitive network components. The recently discovered synthetic approach coined solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE) constitutes a simple to implement strategy for circumventing these setbacks; its use has already led to the generation of a variety of MOF materials previously unobtainable by direct synthesis methods. This Review provides a perspective of the achievements in MOF research that have been made possible with SALE and examines the studies that have facilitated the understanding and broadened the scope of use of this invaluable synthetic tool.

Applications of metal–organic frameworks in heterogeneous supramolecular catalysis

The contributions of MOFs to the field of heterogeneous supramolecular catalysis are comprehensively reviewed with regard to active sites, selectivity, as well as host–guest chemistry.

A 3-D diamondoid MOF catalyst based on in situ generated [Cu(L)2] N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) linkers: hydroboration of CO2

A new MOF, [Zn₄O{Cu(L)₂}₂], with 14 Å channels lined by in situ generated [Cu(L)₂] N-heterocyclic carbene linkers catalyses the hydroboration of CO₂.

Solid-state covalent capture of CO2 by using N-heterocyclic carbenes

Capture me! The first report of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as a solid-state carbon capture reagent is presented. Experimental and theoretical measurements demonstrate the ability of the NHC to react rapidly and stoichiometrically with CO2 at low partial pressures.

Catalysis at the Organic Ligands

Crystalline metal organic frameworks containing catalytically active organic linkers or ancillary ligands (i.e., catalysts at the organic ligands) are an intriguing sub‐set of heterogeneous catalysts. These catalysts are atomically defined and offer a platform to readily designed single‐site catalysts. The literature encompasses approximately fifty experimental examples from which we highlight a handful of what we perceive to be,key conceptual papers. It is clear that many of the attractive visions for MOF catalysts—including, “multi‐catalyst architectures”, “metal coordination environments that can be achieved in no other ways” and “reactivity‐defining microenvironments”—are starting to be realized.