Urea Metal–Organic Frameworks as Effective and Size-Selective Hydrogen-Bond Catalysts

Solvent-Induced Change of Electronic Spectra and Magnetic Susceptibility of Co(II) Coordination Polymer with 2,4,6-Tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine

One-dimensional coordination polymer [Co(Piv)2(4-ptz)(C2H5OH)2]n (compound 1, Piv(-) = pivalate, 4-ptz = 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine) was synthesized by interaction of Co(II) pivalate with 4-ptz. Desolvation of 1 led to formation of [Co(Piv)2(4-ptz)]n (compound 2), which adsorbed N2 and H2 at 78 K as a typical microporous sorbent. In contrast, absorption of methanol and ethanol by 2 at 295 K led to structural transformation probably connected with coordination of these alcohols to Co(II). Formation of 2 from 1 was accompanied by change of color of sample from orange to brown and more than 2-fold decrease of molar magnetic susceptibility (χM) in the temperature range from 2 to 300 K. Resolvation of 2 by ethanol or water resulted in restoration of spectral characteristics and χM values almost to the level of that of 1. χMT versus T curves for 1 and samples, obtained by resolvation of 2 by H2O or C2H5OH, were fitted using a model for Co(II) complex with zero-field splitting of this ion.

Effective adsorption and enhanced removal of organophosphorus pesticides from aqueous solution by Zr-based MOFs of UiO-67

Though many efforts have been devoted to the adsorptive removal of hazardous materials of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), it is still highly desirable to develop novel adsorbents with high adsorption capacities. In the current work, the removal of two representative OPs, glyphosate (GP) and glufosinate (GF), was investigated by the exceptionally stable Zr-based MOFs of UiO-67. The abundant Zr-OH groups, resulting from the missing-linker induced terminal hydroxyl groups and the inherent bridging ones in Zr-O clusters of UiO-67 particles, served as natural anchorages for efficient GP and GF capture in relation with their high affinity toward phosphoric groups in OPs. The correlation between the most significant parameters such as contact time, OPs concentration, adsorbent dose, pH, as well as ionic strength with the adsorption capacities was optimized, and the effects of these parameters on the removal efficiency of GP and GF from the polluted aqueous solution were investigated. The adsorption of GP on UiO-67 was faster than that of GF, and a pseudo-second-order rate equation effectively described the uptake kinetics. The Langmuir model exhibited a better fit to adsorption isotherm than the Freundlich model. Thanks to the strong affinity and adequate pore size, the adsorption capacities in UiO-67 approached as high as 3.18 mmol (537 mg) g(-1) for GP and 1.98 mmol (360 mg) g(-1) for GF, which were much higher than those of many other reported adsorbents. The excellent adsorption characteristics of the current adsorbents toward OPs were preserved in a wide pH window and high concentration of the background electrolytes. These prefigured the promising potentials of UiO-67 as novel adsorbent for the efficient removal of OPs from aqueous solution.

Turning on catalysis: incorporation of a hydrogen-bond-donating squaramide moiety into a Zr metal-organic framework

Herein, we demonstrate that the incorporation of an acidic hydrogen-bond-donating squaramide moiety into a porous UiO-67 metal-organic framework (MOF) derivative leads to dramatic acceleration of the biorelevant Friedel-Crafts reaction between indole and β-nitrostyrene. In comparison, it is shown that free squaramide derivatives, not incorporated into MOF architectures, have no catalytic activity. Additionally, using the UiO-67 template, we were able to perform a direct comparison of catalytic activity with that of the less acidic urea-based analogue. This is the first demonstration of the functionalization of a heterogeneous framework with an acidic squaramide derivative.

Magnetic properties of manganese based one-dimensional spin chains

Magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity of three manganese based structures are measured and modeled with one-dimensional antiferromagnetic chains.

The effect of cluster size on the optical band gap energy of Zn-based metal–organic frameworks

We have synthesized three Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) in which Zn metal ions form the secondary building unit, and 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (SDB) serves as the ligand: [[Zn(DMF)(SDB)] (DMF), 1, [Zn₃(DMF)₃(SDB)₃](DMF), 2 and [Zn₃(OH)₂(SDB)₂] (DMF)₂, 3, where DMF = dimethyl formamide].

A rationally designed amino-borane complex in a metal organic framework: a novel reusable hydrogen storage and size-selective reduction material

A novel microporous material UiOAB was synthesized, which can act as both a reusable hydrogen chemical storage material and a size-selective reducing agent.

Structure-directing factors when introducing hydrogen bond functionality to metal–organic frameworks

Introduction of functional groups into an isoreticular series of MOFs may be complicated by noncovalent interactions between interpenetrated nets inducing differing topologies.

A series of multidimensional MOFs incorporating a new N-heterocyclic building block: 5,5′-di(pyridin-4-yl)-3,3′-bi(1,2,4-triazole)

By using a new N-heterocyclic building block: 4,4′-H₂dbpt, six novel coordination polymers with diversiform connectivity from one to three dimensional were constructed and characterized by X-ray crystallography successfully.

Clathrate directed assembly of tetrapyridyl-tetraphenylethylene metal–organic frameworks

A highly microporous with rhomboid pores measuring ∼14 × 17 Å giving approximately 49% solvent accessible void space in which tetrachloroethylene molecules act as structure directing agents.

Nucleophilic addition of amines, alcohols, and thiophenol with epoxide/olefin using highly efficient zirconium metal organic framework heterogeneous catalyst

Zr based MOF exhibited excellent activity in the ring opening of epoxides/nucleophilic addition of activated olefins with wide range of nucleophiles.

Solvent-induced synthesis of cobalt(ii) coordination polymers based on a rigid ligand and flexible carboxylic acid ligands: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

The structural formations for compounds 1–5 are effected by using different solvents or different carboxylic acid ligands.

Conformation-determined through-bond versus through-space electronic communication in mixed-valence systems with a cross-conjugated urea bridge

Bis-triarylamine 2 and cyclometalated diruthenium 6(PF6)2 with a linear trans,trans-urea bridge have been prepared, together with the bis-triarylamine 3 and cyclometalated diruthenium 8(PF6)2 with a folded cis,cis-N,N-dimethylurea bridge. The linear or folded conformations of these molecules are supported by single-crystal X-ray structures of 2, 3, and other related compounds. These compounds display two consecutive anodic redox waves (N(·+/0) or Ru(III/II) processes) with a potential separation of 110-170 mV. This suggests that an efficient electronic coupling is present between two redox termini through the cross-conjugated urea bridge. The degree of electronic coupling has been investigated by using spectroelectrochemical measurements. Distinct intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) transitions have been observed for mixed-valent (MV) compounds with a linear conformation. The IVCT transitions can also be identified for the folded MV compounds, albeit with a much weaker intensity. DFT results support that the electronic communication occurs by a through-bond and through-space pathway for the linear and folded compounds, respectively. The IVCT transitions of the MV compounds have been reproduced by TDDFT calculations. For the purpose of comparison, a bistriarylamine and a diruthenium complex with an imidazolidin-2-one bridge and a urea-containing mono-triarylamine and monoruthenium complex have been synthesized and studied.

Exploiting molecular self-assembly: from urea-based organocatalysts to multifunctional supramolecular gels

We describe the self-assembly properties of chiral N,N'-disubstituted urea-based organocatalyst 1 that leads to the formation of hierarchical supramolecular gels in organic solvents at low concentrations. The major driving forces for the gelation are hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions according to FTIR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, as well as quantum-mechanical studies. The gelation scope could be interpreted based on Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters. TEM, SEM, and AFM imaging revealed that a variety of morphologies including helical, laths, porous, and lamellar nanostructures could be obtained by varying the solvent. Experimental gelation tests and computational structural analysis of various structurally related compounds proved the existence of a unique set of molecular interactions and an optimal hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in 1 that drive the formation of stable gels. Responses to thermal, mechanical, optical, and chemical stimuli, as well as multifunctionality were demonstrated in some model gel materials. Specifically, 1 could be used for the phase-selective gelation of organic solvent/water mixtures. The gel prepared in glycerol was found to be thixotropic and provided a sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of Ag(I) ions at millimolar concentrations in aqueous solution. Moreover, the gel matrix obtained in toluene served as a nanoreactor for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of 1H-indole with trans-β-nitrostyrene.

A mixed dicarboxylate strut approach to enhancing catalytic activity of a de novo urea derivative of metal-organic framework UiO-67

A hydrogen-bond donating MOF catalyst based on the framework, containing both urea-functionalized dicarboxylate and biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate struts, was synthesized by a de novo route. The mixed strut framework has larger pore sizes and improved catalytic activity for Henry reactions than the pure strut analogue, which contains only the urea-functionalized dicarboxylate linker.

Small molecule regulation of self-association and catalytic activity in a supramolecular coordination complex

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of the first weak-link approach (WLA) supramolecular construct that employs the small molecule regulation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions for the in situ control of catalytic activity. A biaryl urea group, prone to self-aggregation, was functionalized with a phosphinoalkyl thioether (P,S) hemilabile moiety and incorporated into a homoligated Pt(II) tweezer WLA complex. This urea-containing construct, which has been characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study, can be switched in situ from a rigid fully closed state to a flexible semiopen state via Cl(-) induced changes in the coordination mode at the Pt(II) structural node. FT-IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy studies were used to demonstrate that while extensive urea self-association persists in the flexible semiopen complex, these interactions are deterred in the rigid, fully closed complex because of geometric and steric restraints. Consequently, the urea moieties in the fully closed complex are able to catalyze a Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and methyl vinyl ketone to generate 2-acetyl-5-norbornene. The free urea ligand and the semiopen complex show no such activity. The successful incorporation and regulation of a hydrogen bond donating catalyst in a WLA construct open the doors to a vast and rapidly growing catalogue of allosteric catalysts for applications in the detection and amplification of organic analytes.

Novel coordination polymers of Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) tuned by different aromatic polycarboxylates: synthesis, structures and photocatalytic properties

Six fascinating coordination polymers (CPs) showed good photocatalytic activities for the degradation of methylene blue (MB).

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.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and optical properties of five metal complexes constructed from a V-shaped thiophene-containing ligand and different dicarboxylate ligands

Five new metal complexes constructed from the V-shaped ligand 2,8-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)dibenzothiophene (DIDP) and different aromatic dicarboxylic acids have been synthesized and structurally characterized in detail. All these complexes show optical semiconductive properties.

Four new metal–organic frameworks based on a rigid linear ligand: synthesis, optical properties and structural investigation

Four coordination polymers have been synthesized based on a rigid linear carboxylate ligand and different lengths of imidazole ligands.

Cerium-based M4L4 tetrahedrons containing hydrogen bond groups as functional molecular flasks for selective reaction prompting

Metal–organic tetrahedrons with abundant hydrogen bond groups work as “molecular flasks” to prompt Knoevenagel condensation and cyanosilylation reactions.

Enhancement of adsorption selectivity for MOFs under mild activation and regeneration conditions

A new concept has been formulated to utilize given coordinated molecules in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to separate homologues with different coordination abilities towards metal centres under soft activation and regeneration conditions.