Rational Design and Crystal Structure Determination of a 3-D Metal−Organic Jungle-Gym-like Open Framework

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.

Substitution reactions in metal–organic frameworks and metal–organic polyhedra

This review summarizes the advances in the study of substitution reactions in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs).

Investigation of hydrogen bonding patterns in a series of multi-component molecular solids formed by tetrabromoterephthalic acid with selected N-heterocycles

Hydrogen bonding patterns in a series of multi-component molecules constructed by tetrabromoterephthalic acid with N-heterocycles are discussed in this study.

Water adsorption in MOFs: fundamentals and applications

MOF and water, friend or enemy?

Novel (3,4,6)-connected metal-organic framework with high stability and gas-uptake capability

A microporous and noninterpenetrated metal-organic framework [Cu(3)(L)(2)(DABCO)(H(2)O)]·15H(2)O·9DMF (1) has been synthesized using two different ligands, [1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-4,4″,5'-tricarboxylic acid (H(3)L) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). As revealed by variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction (VT-PXRD) measurements, N,N'-ditopic DABCO plays an important role for stabilization of the Cu-L framework. The three-dimensional framework of 1 exhibits high stability and excellent adsorption capacity for H(2) (54.3 mg g(-1) at 77 K and 20 bar), CO(2) (871 mg g(-1) at 298 K and 20 bar), CH(4) (116.7 mg g(-1), 99 cm(3) (STP) cm(-3) at 298 K and 20 bar), and n-pentane (686 mg g(-1) at 298 K and 1 bar). Interestingly, the excellent selectivity toward CO(2) over N(2) at ambient temperature (273 and 298 K) and 1 bar makes complex 1 possess practical application in gas separation and purification.

Directing the breathing behavior of pillared-layered metal-organic frameworks via a systematic library of functionalized linkers bearing flexible substituents

Flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also referred to as soft porous crystals (SPCs), show reversible structural transitions dependent on the nature and quantity of adsorbed guest molecules. In recent studies it has been reported that covalent functionalization of the organic linker can influence or even integrate framework flexibility ("breathing") in MOFs. However, rational fine-tuning of such responsive properties is very desirable but challenging as well. Here we present a powerful approach for the targeted manipulation of responsiveness and framework flexibility of an important family of pillared-layered MOFs based on the parent structure [Zn(2)(bdc)(2)(dabco)](n) (bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). A library of functionalized bdc-type linkers (fu-bdc), which bear additional dangling side groups at different positions of the benzene core (alkoxy groups of varying chain length with diverse functionalities and polarity), was generated. Synthesis of the materials [Zn(2)(fu-bdc)(2)(dabco)](n) yields the respective collection of highly responsive MOFs. The parent MOF is only weakly flexible; however, the substituted frameworks of [Zn(2)(fu-bdc)(2)(dabco)](n) contract drastically upon guest removal and expand again upon adsorption of DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), EtOH, or CO(2), etc., while N(2) is hardly adsorbed and does not open the narrow-pored form. These "breathing" dynamics are attributed to the dangling side chains that act as immobilized "guests", which interact with mobile guest molecules as well as with themselves and with the framework backbone. The structural details of the guest-free, contracted form and the gas sorption behavior (phase transition pressure, hysteresis loop) are highly dependent on the nature of the substituent at the linker and can therefore be adjusted using our approach. Combining our library of functionalized linkers with the concept of mixed-component MOFs (solid solutions) offers very rich additional dimensions of tailoring the structural dynamics and responsiveness. Implementation of two differently functionalized linkers in varying ratios yields multicomponent single-phased [Zn(2)(fu-bdc')(2x)(fu-bdc″)(2-2x)(dabco)](n) MOFs (0 < x < 1) of increased inherent complexity, which feature a non-linear dependence of their gas sorption properties on the applied ratio of components. Hence, the responsive behavior of such pillared-layered MOFs can be extensively tuned via an intelligent combination of functionalized linkers.

The biocompatibility of metal-organic framework coatings: an investigation on the stability of SURMOFs with regard to water and selected cell culture media

Highly porous thin films based on a [Cu(bdc)(2)](n) (bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid) metal-organic framework, MOF, grown using liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) show remarkable stability in pure water as well as in artificial seawater. This opens the possibility to use these highly porous coatings for environmental and life science applications. Here we characterize in detail the stability of these SURMOF 2 thin films under aqueous and cell culture conditions. We find that the material degrades only very slowly in water and artificial seawater (ASW) whereas in typical cell culture media (PBS and DMEM) a rapid dissolution is observed. The release of Cu(2+) ions resulting from the dissolution of the SURMOF 2 in the liquids exhibits no adverse effect on the adhesion of fibroblasts, prototype eukaryotic cells, to the substrate and their subsequent proliferation, thus demonstrating the biocompatibility of SURMOF 2 surface coatings. Thus, the results are an important step toward application of these porous materials as a slow release matrix, for example, for pharmaceuticals and growth factors.

A series of pillar-layer metal-organic frameworks based on 5-aminoisophthalic acid and 4,4'-bipyridine

Four new compounds, [Cd(5-aip)(bpy)]·1.5DMA (1), [Cu(5-aip)(bpy)]·1.3DMA (2), [Co(5-aip)(bpy)]·1.6DMA (3), and [Cd(5-aip)(bpy)(0.5)(H(2)O)]·1.3DMA (4), based on 5-aminoisophthalic acid and 4,4'-bipyridine, have been synthesized by the solvothermal method and structurally determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-3 are structurally similar and show non-interpenetrating three-dimensional (3D) pillar-layer frameworks, while compound 4 displays a two-dimensional (2D) (3,4)-connected parallel non-interpenetrating architecture. In all these compounds, 1D rectangular channels are observed and the ligand 5-aminoisophthalic acid exhibits three kinds of coordination modes. Furthermore, 1 displays a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation when immersed in a methanol solution. More significantly, 1 can absorb and deliver I(2) molecules by means of its channels, and could induce a reversible luminescent transformation from quenching to the initial state. The luminescent properties of 1 and 4 have also been studied.

From molecules to materials: molecular paddle-wheel synthons of macromolecules, cage compounds and metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are becoming a more and more important class of functional materials. Yet, very often, the synthesis of MOFs is not easy to control and requires a profound knowledge and experience in solid state chemistry. One of the most frequently used metal connectors is the so-called 'paddle-wheel' (PW) unit, which is a well-known molecular compound type in inorganic coordination chemistry. Depending on the ligands, the geometry of PWs strictly directs the assembly of ordered networks. This review focuses on the question, to what extent ordered network structures can be accessed by typical molecular syntheses in solution, starting from molecular PW complexes to ordered macromolecules, finite cage compounds and finally, three-dimensional superstructures.

Optimized synthesis of tetrafluoroterephthalic acid: a versatile linking ligand for the construction of new coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks

Pure 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalic acid (H(2)tfBDC) is obtained in high yields (95%) by reacting 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene with a surplus (>2 equiv) of n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and subsequent carbonation with CO(2) without any extensive purification procedure. A single crystal X-ray structure analysis of H(2)tfBDC (1) confirms former data obtained for a deuterated sample (P1, Z = 1). Recrystallization from water/acetone leads to single crystals of H(2)tfBDC·2H(2)O (2, P2(1)/c, Z = 2), where an extensive hydrogen bonding network is found. By reacting H(2)tfBDC with an aqueous ammonia solution, single crystals of (NH(4))(2)tfBDC (3, C2/m, Z = 2) are obtained. 3 is thermally stable up to 250 °C and shows an enhanced solubility in water compared to H(2)tfBDC. Monosubstituted 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid (H(2)tfBC, 4) is obtained by reacting 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene with stoichiometric amounts (1 equiv) of n-butyllithium in THF. Its crystal structure (Fdd2, Z = 16) shows dimeric units as characteristic structural feature.

Unveiling thermal transitions of polymers in subnanometre pores

The thermal transitions of confined polymers are important for the application of polymers in molecular scale devices and advanced nanotechnology. However, thermal transitions of ultrathin polymer assemblies confined in subnanometre spaces are poorly understood. In this study, we show that incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) into nanochannels of porous coordination polymers (PCPs) enabled observation of thermal transitions of the chain assemblies by differential scanning calorimetry. The pore size and surface functionality of PCPs can be tailored to study the transition behaviour of confined polymers. The transition temperature of PEG in PCPs was determined by manipulating the pore size and the pore–polymer interactions. It is also striking that the transition temperature of the confined PEG decreased as the molecular weight of PEG increased.

Understanding the thermal transitions of confined polymers is important for the design of molecular scale devices. In this study, unusual thermal transitions are observed in polyethylene glycol chains incorporated in nanochannels of porous coordination polymers.