High‐Valent Metal–Oxo Species at the Nodes of Metal–Triazolate Frameworks: The Effects of Ligand Exchange and Two‐State Reactivity for C−H Bond Activation

Postsynthetically Modified Alkoxide-Exchanged Ni2(OR)2BTDD: Synergistic Interactions of CO2 with Open Metal Sites and Functional Groups

Postsynthetic modifications (PSMs) of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) play a crucial role in enhancing material performance through open metal site (OMS) functionalization or ligand exchange. However, a significant challenge persists in preserving open metal sites during ligand exchange, as these sites are inherently bound by incoming ligands. In this study, for the first time, we introduced alkoxides by exchanging bridging chloride in Ni2Cl2BTDD (BTDD=bis (1H-1,2,3,-triazolo [4,5-b],-[4',5'-i]) dibenzo[1,4]dioxin) through PSM. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data indicated that the alkoxide oxygen atom bridges Ni(II) centers while the OMSs of the MOF are preserved. Due to the synergy of the existing OMS and introduced functional group, the alkoxide-exchanged MOFs showed CO2 uptakes superior to the pristine MOF. Remarkably, the tert-butoxide-substituted Ni_T exhibited a nearly threefold and twofold increase in CO2 uptake compared to Ni2Cl2BTDD at 0.15 and 1 bar, respectively, as well as high water stability relative to the other exchanged frameworks. Furthermore, the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations for Ni_T suggested that CO2 interacts with the OMS and the surrounding methyl groups of tert-butoxide groups, which is responsible for the enhanced CO2 capacity. This work provides a facile and unique synthetic strategy for realizing a desirable OMS-incorporating MOF platform through bridging ligand exchange.

C-H bond activation by high-valent iron/cobalt-oxo complexes: a quantum chemical modeling approach

High-valent metal-oxo species serve as key intermediates in the activation of inert C-H bonds. Here, we present a comprehensive DFT analysis of the parameters that have been proposed as influencing factors in modeled high-valent metal-oxo mediated C-H activation reactions. Our approach involves utilizing DFT calculations to explore the electronic structures of modeled FeIVO (species 1) and CoIVO ↔ CoIII-O˙ (species 2), scrutinizing their capacity to predict improved catalytic activity. DFT and DLPNO-CCSD(T) calculations predict that the iron-oxo species possesses a triplet as the ground state, while the cobalt-oxo has a doublet as the ground state. Furthermore, we have investigated the mechanistic pathways for the first C-H bond activation, as well as the desaturation of the alkanes. The mechanism was determined to be a two-step process, wherein the first hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) represents the rate-limiting step, involving the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process. However, we found that the second HAA step is highly exothermic for both species. Our calculations suggest that the iron-oxo species (Fe-O = 1.672 Å) exhibit relatively sluggish behavior compared to the cobalt-oxo species (Co-O = 1.854 Å) in C-H bond activation, attributed to a weak metal-oxygen bond. MO, NBO, and deformation energy analysis reveal the importance of weakening the M-O bond in the cobalt species, thereby reducing the overall barrier to the reaction. This catalyst was found to have a C-H activation barrier relatively smaller than that previously reported in the literature.

Single-atom catalysts based on Fenton-like/peroxymonosulfate system for water purification: design and synthesis principle, performance regulation and catalytic mechanism

Novel single-atom catalysts (SACs) have become the frontier materials in the field of environmental remediation, especially wastewater purification because of their nearly 100% ultra-high atomic utilization and excellent properties. SACs can be used in Fenton-like catalytic reactions to activate various peroxides (such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), ozone (O₃), and persulfate (PSs)) to release active radicals and non-radicals, acting on target pollutants, and realize their decomposition and mineralization. Among them, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in PS systems has gradually become an important oxidant in Fenton-like processes due to its asymmetric molecular structure and characteristics of easy storage and transportation. Focusing on the numerous proposed strategies for the synthesis and performance regulation of Fenton-like SACs, it has been confirmed that the coordination of isolated metal atoms and the support/carrier enhances the structural robustness and chemical stability of these catalysts and optimizes their catalytic activity and kinetics. Moreover, the tunability of the coordination environment and electronic properties of SACs can improve their other catalytic properties, such as cycle stability and selectivity. Thus, to systematically explain the relationship between the active center, catalyst performance and the corresponding potential catalytic mechanism, herein, we focus on the representative scientific work on the preparation strategy, catalytic application and performance regulation of Fenton-like SACs. Specifically, we review the typical Fenton-like SAC reaction processes and catalytic mechanisms for the degradation of refractory organic compounds in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Finally, the future development and challenges of Fenton-like SACs are presented.

High Gravimetric and Volumetric Ammonia Capacities in Robust Metal-Organic Frameworks Prepared via Double Postsynthetic Modification

Ammonia is a promising energy vector that can store the high energy density of hydrogen. For this reason, numerous adsorbents have been investigated as ammonia storage materials, but ammonia adsorbents with a high gravimetric/volumetric ammonia capacity that can be simultaneously regenerated in an energy-efficient manner remain underdeveloped, which hampers their practical implementation. Herein, we report Ni_acryl_TMA (TMA = thiomallic acid), an acidic group-functionalized metal-organic framework prepared via successive postsynthetic modifications of mesoporous Ni₂Cl₂BTDD (BTDD = bis(1H-1,2,3,-triazolo [4,5-b],-[4',5'-i]) dibenzo[1,4]dioxin). By virtue of the densely located acid groups, Ni_acryl_TMA exhibited a top-tier gravimetric ammonia capacity of 23.5 mmol g^-1 and the highest ammonia storage of 0.39 g cm^-3 at 1 bar and 298 K. The structural integrity and ammonia storage capacity of Ni_acryl_TMA were maintained after ammonia adsorption-desorption tests over five cycles. Temperature-programmed desorption analysis revealed that the moderate strength of the interaction between the functional groups and ammonia significantly reduced the desorption temperature compared to that of the pristine framework with open metal sites. The structures of the postsynthetic modified analogues were elucidated based on Pawley/Rietveld refinement of the synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction patterns and van der Waals (vdW)-corrected density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Furthermore, the ammonia adsorption mechanism was investigated via in situ infrared and vdW-corrected DFT calculations, revealing an atypical guest-induced binding mode transformation of the integrated carboxylate. Dynamic breakthrough tests showed that Ni_acryl_TMA can selectively capture traces of ammonia under both dry and wet conditions (80% relative humidity). These results demonstrate that Ni_acryl_TMA is a superior ammonia storage/capture material.

Light alkane oxidation over well-defined active sites in metal–organic framework materials

We review structure–catalytic property relationships for MOF materials used in the direct oxidation of light alkanes, focusing specifically on the elucidation of active site structures and probes for reaction mechanisms.

Using Postsynthetic X-Type Ligand Exchange to Enhance CO2 Adsorption in Metal-Organic Frameworks with Kuratowski-Type Building Units

Postsynthetic modification methods have emerged as indispensable tools for tuning the properties and reactivity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In particular, postsynthetic X-type ligand exchange (PXLE) at metal building units has gained increasing attention as a means of immobilizing guest species, modulating the reactivity of framework metal ions, and introducing new functional groups. The reaction of a Zn-OH functionalized analogue of CFA-1 (1-OH, Zn(ZnOH)₄(bibta)₃, where bibta^2- = 5,5'-bibenzotriazolate) with organic substrates containing mildly acidic E-H groups (E = C, O, N) results in the formation of Zn-E species and water as a byproduct. This Brønsted acid-base PXLE reaction is compatible with substrates with pK_a(DMSO) values as high as 30 and offers a rapid and convenient means of introducing new functional groups at Kuratwoski-type metal nodes. Gas adsorption and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy experiments reveal that the anilide-exchanged MOFs 1-NHPh_0.9 and 1-NHPh_2.5 exhibit enhanced low-pressure CO₂ adsorption compared to 1-OH as a result of a Zn-NHPh + CO₂ ⇌ Zn-O₂CNHPh chemisorption mechanism. The MFU-4l analogue 2-NHPh ([Zn₅(OH)_2.1(NHPh)_1.9(btdd)₃], where btdd^2- = bis(1,2,3-triazolo)dibenzodioxin), shows a similar improvement in CO₂ adsorption in comparison to the parent MOF containing only Zn-OH groups.

Nano-porous bimetallic CuCo-MOF-74 with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites for peroxymonosulfate activation to eliminate organic pollutants: Performance and mechanism

The importance of clean water resources for maintaining sustainable development of society is self-evident. In this study, bimetallic metal-organic framework (CuCo-MOF-74) was synthesized and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, BET, and XPS techniques. The structural analysis results revealed that CuCo-MOF-74 was nano-porous materials with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites. With the addition of PMS, Cu₁Co₁-MOF-74 exhibited high activity for methylene blue (MB) removal (100% degradation) within 30 min under low 50 mg/L catalyst dosage. The effects of catalyst dosage, PMS dosage, MB concentration, initial pH, and common anions were evaluated. Quenching reactions and EPR studies revealed the coexistence of sulfate radical (SO₄^•-), hydroxyl radical (·OH), and singlet oxygen (¹O₂), which was attributed to the potential in-situ recycling of cobalt and copper species (Co(III)→Co(II), Cu(II)→Cu(I))). Fukui index (f⁰) and dual descriptor (Δf) by Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were applied to predict the most reactive sites of MB. Meanwhile, the possible degradation pathway of MB was proposed with the help of oxidative intermediates identified by UPLC-MS.