A Highly Stable Zeotype Mesoporous Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework with Ultralarge Pores

In Situ Implanting ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 Nanorods into Hierarchical Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework via Solvent-Free Approach for Upgrading Catalytic Performance

Host-guest catalyst provides new opportunities for targeted applications and the development of new strategies for preparing host-guest catalysts is highly desired. Herein, an in situ solvent-free approach is developed for implanting ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 nanorods (ZrW-NR) in nitro-functionalized UiO-66(Zr) (UiO-66(Zr)-NO2) with hierarchical porosity, and the encapsulation of ZrW-NR enables the as-prepared host-guest catalyst remarkably enhanced catalytic performance for both for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and acetalization reactions. ZrW-NR@UiO-66(Zr)-NO2 can eliminate 500 ppm sulfur within 9 min at 40 °C in ODS, and can transform 5.6 mmol benzaldehyde after 3 min at room temperature in acetalization reaction. Its turnover frequencies reach 72.3 h-1 at 40 °C for ODS which is 33.4 times higher than UiO-66(Zr)-NO2, and 28140 h-1 for acetalization which is the highest among previous reports. Density functional theory calculation result indicates that the W sites in ZrW-NR can decompose H2O2 to WVI-peroxo intermediates that contribute to catalytic activity for the ODS reaction. This work opens a new solvent-free approach for preparing MOFs-based host-guest catalysts to upgrade their redox and acid performance.

Study of the Cycloaddition of CO2 with Styrene Oxide Over Six-Connected spn Topology MOFs (Zr, Hf) at Room Temperature

A series of MOFs with a 6-connected spn topology were synthesized (MOF-808-(Zr, Hf), PCN-777-(Zr, Hf), MOF-818-(Zr, Hf)). Through the in situ DRIFTS of NH₃ adsorption-desorption, we found that the activated catalyst mainly contains Lewis acid sites. The effects of different organic ligands on the Lewis acid of the Zr₆ cluster were analyzed by XPS and NH₃ -TPD, and the relative Lewis acidity of the same metal was obtained: PCN-777>MOF-808>MOF-818. In the Py-FTIR results, we confirmed that MOF-818 has a higher acid site density. In the activity test, MOFs with mesoporous structure showed better catalytic activity under normal temperature and pressure. Among them, MOF-818 can still maintain a high degree of crystallinity after catalysis. Finally, we use density functional theory to propose the mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction of carbon dioxide and styrene oxide. The results show that the metal is coordinated with styrene oxide and halogens attack the β carbon of the epoxide.

Construction of high-nuclear 4p–4f heterometallic {Ln11Ge12} cluster-organic frameworks with high-sensitivity luminescence sensing of Fe3+ in aqueous solution

The [Pr₁₁Ge₁₂] 4p–4f cluster-organic framework shows highly selective and sensitive sensing of Fe³⁺ in aqueous solution.

Construction of Hierarchical Metal-Organic Frameworks by Competitive Coordination Strategy for Highly Efficient CO2 Conversion

Hierarchical porosity and functionalization help to fully make use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for their diverse applications. Herein, a simple strategy is reported to construct hierarchically porous MOFs through a competitive coordination method using tetrafluoroborate (M(BF₄ )_x , where M is metal site) as both functional sites and etching agents. The resulting MOFs have in situ formed defect-mesopores and functional sites without sacrificing their structure stability. The formation mechanism of the defect-mesopores is elucidated by a combination of experimental and first-principles calculation method, indicating the general feasibility of this new approach. Compared with the original microporous counterparts, the new hierarchical MOFs exhibit superior adsorption for the bulky dye molecules and catalytic performance for the CO₂ conversion attributed to their specific hierarchical pore structures.

Intercalation of Coordinatively Unsaturated Fe(III) Ion within Interpenetrated Metal-Organic Framework MOF-5

Coordinatively unsaturated Fe(III) metal sites were successfully incorporated into the iconic MOF-5 framework. This new structure, Fe(III) -iMOF-5, is the first example of an interpenetrated MOF linked through intercalated metal ions. Structural characterization was performed with single-crystal and powder XRD, followed by extensive analysis by spectroscopic methods and solid-state NMR, which reveals the paramagnetic ion through its interaction with the framework. EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed that the intercalated ions were indeed Fe(III) , whereas DFT calculations were employed to ascertain the unique pentacoordinate architecture around the Fe(III) ion. Interestingly, this is also the first crystallographic evidence of pentacoordinate Zn(II) within the MOF-5 SBU. This new MOF structure displays the potential for metal-site addition as a framework connector, thus creating further opportunity for the innovative development of new MOF materials.