Architectures and DFT calculations of polyrotaxane MOFs with nanoscale macrocycles

This paper reports two polyrotaxane metal–organic frameworks and theoretical investigations of their inclined/parallel interlocking modes.

Exploring biphenyl-2,4,4′-tricarboxylic acid as a flexible building block for the hydrothermal self-assembly of diverse metal–organic and supramolecular networks

This contribution reports the hydrothermal self-assembly synthesis, characterization, thermal stability, structural and topological features, and luminescence or magnetic properties of a new series of nine coordination compounds.

Metal–organic frameworks constructed from crown ether-based 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives

A series of crown ether- and thiacrown ether-derivatized benzene dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc) ligands has been synthesized and incorporated into the prototypical isoreticular metal–organic framework (IRMOF) and UiO-66 materials.

Electrochemically addressable trisradical rotaxanes organized within a metal-organic framework

The organization of trisradical rotaxanes within the channels of a Zr6-based metal-organic framework (NU-1000) has been achieved postsynthetically by solvent-assisted ligand incorporation. Robust Zr(IV)-carboxylate bonds are forged between the Zr clusters of NU-1000 and carboxylic acid groups of rotaxane precursors (semirotaxanes) as part of this building block replacement strategy. Ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies all confirm the capture of redox-active rotaxanes within the mesoscale hexagonal channels of NU-1000. Cyclic voltammetry measurements performed on electroactive thin films of the resulting material indicate that redox-active viologen subunits located on the rotaxane components can be accessed electrochemically in the solid state. In contradistinction to previous methods, this strategy for the incorporation of mechanically interlocked molecules within porous materials circumvents the need for de novo synthesis of a metal-organic framework, making it a particularly convenient approach for the design and creation of solid-state molecular switches and machines. The results presented here provide proof-of-concept for the application of postsynthetic transformations in the integration of dynamic molecular machines with robust porous frameworks.

Tuning the structure and function of metal-organic frameworks via linker design

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constructed from metal ions/clusters coordinated by organic linkers (or bridging-ligands). The hallmark of MOFs is their permanent porosity, which is frequently found in MOFs constructed from metal-clusters. These clusters are often formed in situ, whereas the linkers are generally pre-formed. The geometry and connectivity of a linker dictate the structure of the resulting MOF. Adjustments of linker geometry, length, ratio, and functional-group can tune the size, shape, and internal surface property of a MOF for a targeted application. In this critical review, we highlight advances in MOF synthesis focusing on linker design. Examples of building MOFs to reach unique properties, such as unprecedented surface area, pore aperture, molecular recognition, stability, and catalysis, through linker design are described. Further search for application-oriented MOFs through judicious selection of metal clusters and organic linkers is desirable. In this review, linkers are categorized as ditopic (Section 1), tritopic (Section 2), tetratopic (Section 3), hexatopic (Section 4), octatopic (Section 5), mixed (Section 6), desymmetrized (Section 7), metallo (Section 8), and N-heterocyclic linkers (Section 9).

Enantiopure pillar[5]arene active domains within a homochiral metal-organic framework

Enantiopure struts containing pillar[5]arenes incorporating planar chirality have been linked together with Zn4O clusters in order to create metal-organic frameworks that include homochiral active domains and so have the potential to act as a solid support in chiral chromatography.

Heterogeneity of functional groups in a metal-organic framework displays magic number ratios

Multiple organic functionalities can now be apportioned into nanoscale domains within a metal-coordinated framework, posing the following question: how do we control the resulting combination of "heterogeneity and order"? Here, we report the creation of a metal-organic framework, MOF-2000, whose two component types are incorporated in a 2:1 ratio, even when the ratio of component types in the starting solution is varied by an order of magnitude. Statistical mechanical modeling suggests that this robust 2:1 ratio has a nonequilibrium origin, resulting from kinetic trapping of component types during framework growth. Our simulations show how other "magic number" ratios of components can be obtained by modulating the topology of a framework and the noncovalent interactions between component types, a finding that may aid the rational design of functional multicomponent materials.

Surface-induced selection during in situ photoswitching at the solid/liquid interface

Here we report for the first time a submolecularly resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study at the solid/liquid interface of the in situ reversible interconversion between two isomers of a diarylethene photoswitch, that is, open and closed form, self-assembled on a graphite surface. Prolonged irradiation with UV light led to the in situ irreversible formation of another isomer as by-product of the reaction, which due to its preferential physisorption accumulates at the surface. By making use of a simple yet powerful thermodynamic model we provide a quantitative description for the observed surface-induced selection of one isomeric form.

Two series of novel 3D potentially porous heterometallic Cu–Ln coordination frameworks assembled by 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid with different topologies and channels: syntheses, structures, luminescence and magnetic properties

Two series of heterometallic Cu–Ln coordination frameworks assembled by 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid with different topologies and channels.

Functional metal–bipyridinium frameworks: self-assembly and applications

Metal–organic frameworks as newly emerged materials have experienced rapid development in the last few years. This perspective highlights recent progress of study on the self-assembly of metal–bipyridinium frameworks and their intriguing properties for various applications.

Dynamic structural transformations of coordination supramolecular systems upon exogenous stimulation

This feature article comments on the dynamic structural transformations of coordination supramolecular systems, which can be triggered by exposure to various exogenous stimuli such as concentration, temperature, light and mechanical force, as well as their synergic effect.

Supramolecular inclusion-based molecular integral rigidity: a feasible strategy for controlling the structural connectivity of uranyl polyrotaxane networks

The assembly of 2D uranyl–organic rotaxane networks with well-defined channels has been achieved through an integration strategy from jointed pseudorotaxanes.

A hybrid organic–inorganic molecular daisy chain

A hybrid daisy-chain has been made, involving an organic thread for an inorganic ring, where the organic thread for the ring also acts as a ligand for a second ring. The ring contains six chromium(iii) and two zinc(ii) ions, and two isomers of the rings are found in the daisy-chain.

A series of mixed-ligand 2D and 3D coordination polymers assembled from a novel multifunctional pyridine-tricarboxylate building block: hydrothermal syntheses, structural and topological diversity, and magnetic and luminescent properties

4-(5-Carboxypyridin-2-yl)isophthalic acid (H₃L) was applied as a new principal building block for the self-assembly generation of mixed-ligand coordination polymers.

A 2-D coordination polymer incorporating cobalt(ii), 2-sulfoterephthalate and the flexible bridging ligand 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane

A robust 2-D coordination polymer that maintains its single-crystallinity upon desolvation is reported.

Discrete and polymeric complexes formed from cobalt(ii), 4,4′-bipyridine and 2-sulfoterephthalate: synthetic, crystallographic and magnetic studies

Five discrete and polymeric complexes have been prepared and characterised from the reaction of different ratios of Co(ii), 4,4′-bipyridine and 2-sulfoterephthalate.

[n]Pseudorotaxanes constructed by a bis(p-phenylene)-34-crown-10-based cryptand: different binding behaviors induced by minor structural changes of guests

Investigation on three pseudorotaxanes based on a cryptand and three viologen derivatives demonstrated that small structural changes of guests could greatly affect the host–guest binding behaviors.

A new bifunctional electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide and nitrite based on a bimetallic metalloporphyrinic framework

The bimetallic electrocatalytic ability of a new metallic porphyrin, Cu-CoTCPP, toward redox of H₂O₂ and oxidation of NaNO₂.

Nanostructuring with chirality: binaphthyl-based synthons for the production of functional oriented nanomaterials

Chirality is a powerful tool for the generation of order, directionality, and, as such, of function, in assembled nanoscale chemical devices. Axially chiral binaphthyls have been widely used in organic synthesis; the stability of the enantiomers enables their use as robust chirality inducers and catalysts in asymmetric reactions, and they are nowadays industrially applied in a variety of organic transformations. Applications of these compounds in the field of nanosciences are more recent, and not yet fully explored. The integration of such a robust class of chiral compounds, capable of efficient transfer of stereochemical information, into functional aggregates and nanoarchitectures is of great current interest. We will discuss preeminent examples of applications of these synthons in several fields of nanoscience, such as reticular chemistry, non-linear optical materials and imaging, and liquid crystals.

Metal-organic frameworks as cathode materials for Li-O2 batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with open metal sites enrich the population of O2 in the pores significantly and assist the Li-O2 reaction when employed as a cell electrode material. A primary capacity of 9420 mA h g(-1) is achieved in a cell with Mn-MOF-74; more than four times higher than the value obtained in a cell without an MOF.

Metal ion directed metal-organic rotaxane frameworks with intrinsic features of self-penetration and interpenetration

Three novel self-catenated 4-connected uninodal (6(5)·8)- metal-organic rotaxane frameworks (MORFs) containing cucurbit[6]uril were constructed from the in situ trans/cis-configuration (1 : 1) of rotaxanes by taking advantage of a d(10) metal ion directed synthesis. It was revealed that the effect of hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions play significant roles in the self-assembly process.

Recent NMR developments applied to organic-inorganic materials

In this contribution, the latest developments in solid state NMR are presented in the field of organic-inorganic (O/I) materials (or hybrid materials). Such materials involve mineral and organic (including polymeric and biological) components, and can exhibit complex O/I interfaces. Hybrids are currently a major topic of research in nanoscience, and solid state NMR is obviously a pertinent spectroscopic tool of investigation. Its versatility allows the detailed description of the structure and texture of such complex materials. The article is divided in two main parts: in the first one, recent NMR methodological/instrumental developments are presented in connection with hybrid materials. In the second part, an exhaustive overview of the major classes of O/I materials and their NMR characterization is presented.

Functional metal-organic frameworks via ligand doping: influences of ligand charge and steric demand

Doping a functional ligand into a known crystalline system built from ligands of similar shape and length provides a powerful strategy to construct functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with desired functionality and structural topology. This mix-and-match approach mimics the widely applied metal ion doping (or solid solution formation) in traditional inorganic materials, such as metal oxides, wherein maintaining charge balance of the doped lattice and ensuring size match between doped metal ions and the parent lattice are key to successful doping. In this work, we prepared three sterically demanding dicarboxylate ligands based on Ir/Ru-phosphors with similar structures and variable charges (-2 to 0), [Ir(ppy)3]-dicarboxylate (L1, ppy is 2-phenylpyridine), [Ir(bpy)(ppy)2](+)-dicarboxylate (L2, bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine), and Ru(bpy)3](2+)-dicarboxylate (L3), and successfully doped them into the known IRMOF-9/-10 structures by taking advantage of matching length between 4,4'-biphenyl dicarboxylate (BPDC) and L1-L3. We systematically investigated the effects of size and charge of the doping ligand on the MOF structures and the ligand doping levels in these MOFs. L1 carries a -2 charge to satisfy the charge requirement of the parent Zn4O(BPDC)3 framework and can be mixed into the IRMOF-9/-10 structure in the whole range of H2L1/H2BPDC ratios from 0 to 1. The steric bulk of L1 induces a phase transition from the interpenetrated IRMOF-9 structure to the non-interpenetrated IRMOF-10 counterpart. L2 and L3 do not match the dinegative charge of BPDC in order to maintain the charge balance for a neutral IRMOF-9/-10 framework and can only be doped into the IRMOF-9 structure to a certain degree. L2 and L3 form a charge-balanced new phase with a neutral framework structure at higher doping levels (>8% For L2 and >6% For L3). This systematic investigation reveals the influences of steric demand and charge balance on ligand doping in MOFs, a phenomenon that has been well-established in metal ion doping in traditional inorganic materials.

Solvent-driven selective π-cation templating in dynamic assembly of interlocked molecules

The different solvent responses for bipyridinium and trispyridinium-based dynamic imine [2]rotaxanes allow their interconversion with high selectivity.

The first case of an actinide polyrotaxane incorporating cucurbituril: a unique ‘dragon-like’ twist induced by a specific coordination pattern of uranium

A unique ‘dragon-like’ twist is induced by the specific coordination pattern of uranium in the first actinide polyrotaxane.

Coordination polymers of a multipyridyl and pyrazolyl ligand with conformational flexibility: syntheses, structures and luminescence

Eight novel coordination polymers were obtained by the coordination of a multipyridyl and pyrazolyl ligand, which shows rich conformational changes.