Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Gas Sorption and Guest-Exchange Studies of the Lightweight, Porous Metal−Organic Framework α-[Mg3(O2CH)6]

Ni1-xPtx (x = 0−0.12) Hollow Spheres as Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation from Ammonia Borane

In this paper, nest-like Ni1-xPtx (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.12) hollow spheres of submicrometer sizes have been prepared through a template-replacement route and investigated as catalysts for generating hydrogen from ammonia borane (NH3BH3). Experimental investigations have demonstrated that the obtained Ni1-xPtx alloy hollow spheres exhibit favorable catalytic activities for both the hydrolysis and the thermolysis of NH3BH3. It was found that, in the presence of the Ni0.88Pt0.12 catalyst, the hydrolysis of NH3BH3 causes a quick release of H2, while the thermal decomposition of NH3BH3 occurs at lowered temperatures with increased mass loss. The present results indicate that NH3BH3 along with Ni1-xPtx alloy hollow spheres may find some applications for small-scale on-board hydrogen storage and supply.

Framework materials assembled from magnesium carboxylate building units

Four coordination polymers containing magnesium metal nodes and di- or tricarboxylic acid organic connectors have been synthesised and structurally characterised with the aid of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Mg3(bdc)3(DMA)4 (1) and Mg3(bdc)3(EtOH)2 (2) were prepared from the 1 : 1 reaction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H(2)bdc) with Mg(NO3)2.6H2O in dimethylacetamide (DMA) or EtOH respectively. Both 1 and 2 contain tri-metallic magnesium carboxylate units which act as six-coordinate nodes for network construction. These tri-magnesium nodes are joined by the bdc ligands in 1 to give a 2D layered structure with coordinated DMA solvent molecules between the layers, whereas in 2 they stack end-on to form a novel 3D network containing 1D Mg carboxylate chains. Both 1 and 2 are moderately hygroscopic, and powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis studies show them to be interconvertible with Mg(bdc) and the hydrated complex Mg(bdc)(H2O)2 via a series of solid-state reactions. Reaction of magnesium nitrate with 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H(2)bpdc) in DMA gives Mg3(bpdc)3(DMA)4 (3), which in contrast to 2 forms a 'squashed' 3D cubic network as a result of the increased distance between the trinuclear nodes necessitated by the longer bpdc ligands. Reaction of magnesium nitrate with the triangular organic building block 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H(3)btc) in DMA gives crystals of Mg(H(1.5)btc)2/3(btc)1/3(DMA)2.(DMA)1/3 (4). Compound 4 contains mono-metallic metal nodes which assemble with the btc ligands to give 2D 6(3) tessellated layers with Mg-coordinated DMA molecules lying perpendicular to the layers. Some free DMA is also present in 4, sited in small pores between the layers.

Occurrence of a Rare 49·66 Structural Topology, Chirality, and Weak Ferromagnetism in the [NH4][MII(HCOO)3] (M = Mn, Co, Ni) Frameworks

We report the synthesis, crystal structures, thermal, IR, UV-vis, and magnetic properties of a series of divalent transition metal formates, [NH4][M(HCOO)3], where M = divalent Mn, Co, or Ni. They crystallize in the hexagonal chiral space group P6(3)22. The structure consists of octahedral metal centers connected by the anti-anti formate ligands, and the ammonium cations sit in the channels. The chiral structure is a framework with the rarely observed 49.66 topology, and the chirality is derived from the handedness imposed by the formate ligands around the metals and the presence of units with only one handedness. The thermal properties are characterized by a decomposition at ca. 200 degrees C. The three compounds exhibit an antiferromagnetic ground state at 8.4, 9.8, and 29.5 K for Mn, Co, and Ni, respectively. The last two display a weak spontaneous magnetization due to a small canting of the moments below the critical temperature, and the Co compound shows a further transition at lower temperatures. The isothermal magnetizations at 2 K show spin-flop fields of 600 Oe (Mn), 14 kOe (Co), and above 50 kOe (Ni) and a small hysteresis with a remnant magnetization of 25 cm3 G mol(-1) (Co) and 50 cm3 G mol(-1) (Ni) and coercive field of 400 Oe (Co) and 830 Oe (Ni).

Structural diversity and chemical trends in hybrid inorganic–organic framework materials

Hybrid framework compounds, including both metal-organic coordination polymers and systems that contain extended inorganic connectivity (extended inorganic hybrids), have recently developed into an important new class of solid-state materials. We examine the diversity of this complex class of materials, propose a simple but systematic classification, and explore the chemical and geometrical factors that influence their formation. We also discuss the growing evidence that many hybrid frameworks tend to form under thermodynamic rather than kinetic control when the synthesis is carried out under hydrothermal conditions. Finally, we explore the potential applications of hybrid frameworks in areas such as gas separations and storage, heterogeneous catalysis, and photoluminescence.