3-D coordination polymers based on the tetrathiafulvalenetetracarboxylate (TTF-TC) derivative: synthesis, characterization, and oxidation issues

Electrochemical coupling in subnanometer pores/channels for rechargeable batteries

Subnanometer pores/channels (SNPCs) play crucial roles in regulating electrochemical redox reactions for rechargeable batteries. The delicately designed and tailored porous structure of SNPCs not only provides ample space for ion storage but also facilitates efficient ion diffusion within the electrodes in batteries, which can greatly improve the electrochemical performance. However, due to current technological limitations, it is challenging to synthesize and control the quality, storage, and transport of nanopores at the subnanometer scale, as well as to understand the relationship between SNPCs and performances. In this review, we systematically classify and summarize materials with SNPCs from a structural perspective, dividing them into one-dimensional (1D) SNPCs, two-dimensional (2D) SNPCs, and three-dimensional (3D) SNPCs. We also unveil the unique physicochemical properties of SNPCs and analyse electrochemical couplings in SNPCs for rechargeable batteries, including cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and functional materials. Finally, we discuss the challenges that SNPCs may face in electrochemical reactions in batteries and propose future research directions.

A redox active rod coordination polymer from tetrakis(4-carboxylic acid biphenyl)tetrathiafulvalene

An enlarged version of the ubiquitous tetrathiafulvalene-tetrabenzoic acid is described, with 4,4'-biphenyl moieties as spacers between the coordination moieties and the electroactive core. The obtained rectangular ligand has a 14 × 22 Å2 size and is combined with Zn(II) under solvothermal conditions to yield a coordination polymer endowed with large cavities of ca. 15 × 11 Å2/10 × 10 Å2. The topology of the material is discussed in detail using the Points of Extension and Metals (PE&M) or the Straight-rod (STR) representation, and the sqc1121 or tfo topological type of the structure is observed, respectively. Its stability towards solvent removal and electrical properties are discussed. The material does not present any permanent porosity upon desolvation according to nitrogen sorption measurements at 77 K. Nevertheless, a significant increase in conductivity is observed on compressed pellets of the material upon post-synthetic oxidation with iodine. Raman spectroscopy combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations has been used to characterize the oxidation state of tetrakis(4-carboxylic acid biphenyl)tetrathiafulvalene for coordination polymers.

Bis(Vinylenedithio)-Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Coordination Networks

Novel coordination polymers embedding electroactive moieties present a high interest in the development of porous conducting materials. While tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) based metal-organic frameworks were reported to yield through-space conducting frameworks, the use of S-enriched scaffolds remains elusive in this field. Herein is reported the employment of bis(vinylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (BVDT-TTF) functionalized with pyridine coordinating moieties in coordination polymers. Its combination with various transition metals yielded four isostructural networks, whose conductivity increased upon chemical oxidation with iodine. The oxidation was confirmed in a single-crystal to single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment for the Cd(II) coordination polymer. Raman spectroscopy measurements and DFT calculations confirmed the oxidation state of the bulk materials, and band structure calculations assessed the ground state as an electronically localized antiferromagnetic state, while the conduction occurs in a 2D manner. These results are shedding light to comprehend how to improve through-space conductivity thanks to sulfur enriched ligands.

Conductive metal and covalent organic frameworks for electrocatalysis: design principles, recent progress and perspective

Metal and covalent organic frameworks (MOFs/COFs) are emerging promising candidates in the field of catalysts due to their porous nature, chemically well-defined active sites and structural diversity. However, they are typically provided with poor electrical conductivity, which is insufficient for them to work as satisfying electrocatalysts. Designing and fabricating MOFs/COFs with high conductivity presents a new avenue towards special electrochemical reactions. This minireview firstly highlighted the origin and design principles of conductive MOFs/COFs for electrocatalysis on the basis of typical charge transfer mechanisms, that is "through space", "extended conjugation" and "through bond". An overview of conductive MOFs/COFs used in the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), water splitting and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was then made to track the very recent progress. In the final remarks, the present challenges and perspectives for the use of conductive MOFs/COFs as electrocatalysts including their structural optimization, feasible applications and structure-activity correlation are proposed.

Effects of intervalence charge transfer interaction between π-stacked mixed valent tetrathiafulvalene ligands on the electrical conductivity of 3D metal-organic frameworks

Achieving a molecular-level understanding of how the structures and compositions of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) influence their charge carrier concentration and charge transport mechanism—the two key parameters of electrical conductivity—is essential for the successful development of electrically conducting MOFs, which have recently emerged as one of the most coveted functional materials due to their diverse potential applications in advanced electronics and energy technologies. Herein, we have constructed four new alkali metal (Na, K, Rb, and Cs) frameworks based on an electron-rich tetrathiafulvalene tetracarboxylate (TTFTC) ligand, which formed continuous π-stacks, albeit with different π–π-stacking and S⋯S distances (d_π–π and d_S⋯S). These MOFs also contained different amounts of aerobically oxidized TTFTC˙⁺ radical cations that were quantified by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy demonstrated that depending on the π–π-interaction and TTFTC˙⁺ population, these MOFs enjoyed varying degrees of TTFTC/TTFTC˙⁺ intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) interactions, which commensurately affected their electronic and optical band gaps and electrical conductivity. Having the shortest d_π–π (3.39 Å) and the largest initial TTFTC˙⁺ population (∼23%), the oxidized Na-MOF 1-ox displayed the narrowest band gap (1.33 eV) and the highest room temperature electrical conductivity (3.6 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹), whereas owing to its longest d_π–π (3.68 Å) and a negligible TTFTC˙⁺ population, neutral Cs-MOF 4 exhibited the widest band gap (2.15 eV) and the lowest electrical conductivity (1.8 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹). The freshly prepared but not optimally oxidized K-MOF 2 and Rb-MOF 3 initially displayed intermediate band gaps and conductivity, however, upon prolonged aerobic oxidation, which raised the TTFTC˙⁺ population to saturation levels (∼25 and 10%, respectively), the resulting 2-ox and 3-ox displayed much narrower band gaps (∼1.35 eV) and higher electrical conductivity (6.6 × 10⁻⁵ and 4.7 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹, respectively). The computational studies indicated that charge movement in these MOFs occurred predominantly through the π-stacked ligands, while the experimental results displayed the combined effects of π–π-interactions, TTFTC˙⁺ population, and TTFTC/TTFTC˙⁺ IVCT interaction on their electronic and optical properties, demonstrating that IVCT interactions between the mixed-valent ligands could be exploited as an effective design strategy to develop electrically conducting MOFs.

Through-space charge movement enabled by intervalence charge transfer interactions between π-stacked mixed-valent tetrathiafulvalene ligands creates electrical conductivity in three-dimensional metal–organic frameworks.

Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks: Electronic Structure and Electrochemical Applications

Smarter and minimization of devices are consistently substantial to shape the energy landscape. Significant amounts of endeavours have come forward as promising steps to surmount this formidable challenge. It is undeniable that material scientists were contemplating smarter material beyond purely inorganic or organic materials. To our delight, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), an inorganic-organic hybrid scaffold with unprecedented tunability and smart functionalities, have recently started their journey as an alternative. In this review, we focus on such propitious potential of MOFs that was untapped over a long time. We cover the synthetic strategies and (or) post-synthetic modifications towards the formation of conductive MOFs and their underlying concepts of charge transfer with structural aspects. We addressed theoretical calculations with the experimental outcomes and spectroelectrochemistry, which will trigger vigorous impetus about intrinsic electronic behaviour of the conductive frameworks. Finally, we discussed electrocatalysts and energy storage devices stemming from conductive MOFs to meet energy demand in the near future.

Electrically Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are intrinsically porous extended solids formed by coordination bonding between organic ligands and metal ions or clusters. High electrical conductivity is rare in MOFs, yet it allows for diverse applications in electrocatalysis, charge storage, and chemiresistive sensing, among others. In this Review, we discuss the efforts undertaken so far to achieve efficient charge transport in MOFs. We focus on four common strategies that have been harnessed toward high conductivities. In the “through-bond” approach, continuous chains of coordination bonds between the metal centers and ligands’ functional groups create charge transport pathways. In the “extended conjugation” approach, the metals and entire ligands form large delocalized systems. The “through-space” approach harnesses the π–π stacking interactions between organic moieties. The “guest-promoted” approach utilizes the inherent porosity of MOFs and host–guest interactions. Studies utilizing less defined transport pathways are also evaluated. For each approach, we give a systematic overview of the structures and transport properties of relevant materials. We consider the benefits and limitations of strategies developed thus far and provide an overview of outstanding challenges in conductive MOFs.

Interdigitated conducting tetrathiafulvalene-based coordination networks

Assembly of a novel ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalene (EDT-TTF) derivative bearing two adjacent 4-thiopyridyl groups with M(NCS)2 nodes (M = Fe, Co) leads to two isostructural 1D coordination polymers showing an enhancement of their electronic conductivity by six orders of magnitude (10-6vs. 10-12 S cm-1), upon surface oxidation by iodine and subsequent generation of EDT-TTF-based radicals.

Electrical conductivity and magnetic bistability in metal–organic frameworks and coordination polymers: charge transport and spin crossover at the nanoscale

This review aims to reassess the progress, issues and opportunities in the path towards integrating conductive and magnetically bistable coordination polymers and metal–organic frameworks as active components in electronic devices.

An Asymmetrically Substituted Aliphatic Bis-Dithiolene Mono-Oxido Molybdenum(IV) Complex With Ester and Alcohol Functions as Structural and Functional Active Site Model of Molybdoenzymes

A Mo^IV mono-oxido bis-dithiolene complex, [MoO(mohdt)₂]²⁻ (mohdt = 1-methoxy-1-oxo-4-hydroxy-but-2-ene-2,3-bis-thiolate) was synthesized as a structural and functional model for molybdenum oxidoreductase enzymes of the DMSO reductase family. It was comprehensively characterized by inter alia various spectroscopic methods and employed as an oxygen atom transfer (OAT) catalyst. The ligand precursor of mohdt was readily prepared by a three-step synthesis starting from dimethyl-but-2-ynedioate. Crystallographic and ¹³C-NMR data support the rationale that by asymmetric substitution the electronic structure of the ene-dithio moiety can be fine-tuned. The Mo^IVO bis-dithiolene complex was obtained by in situ reaction of the de-protected ligand with the metal precursor complex trans-[MoO₂(CN)₄]⁴⁻. The catalytic oxygen atom transfer mediated by the complex was investigated by the model OAT reaction from DMSO to triphenylphosphine with the substrate transformation being monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. [MoO(mohdt)₂]²⁻ was found to be catalytically active reaching 93% conversion, albeit with a rather low reaction rate (reaction time 56 h). The observed overall catalytic activity is comparable to those of related complexes with aromatic dithiolene ligands despite the novel ligand being aliphatic in nature and originally perceived to perform more swiftly. The respective results are rationalized with respect to a potential intermolecular interaction between the hydroxyl and ester functions together with the electron-withdrawing functional groups of the dithiolene ligands of the molybdenum mono-oxido complex and equilibrium between the active monomeric Mo^IVO and Mo^VIO₂ and the unreactive dimeric Mo2VO₃ species.

The application of metal-organic frameworks in electrode materials for lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained increased attention due to their unique features, including tunable pore sizes, controllable structures and a large specific surface area. In addition to their application in gas adsorption and separation, hydrogen storage, optics, magnetism and organic drug carriers, MOFs also can be used in batteries and supercapacitors which have attracted the researcher's attention. Based on recent studies, this review describes the latest developments about MOFs as battery electrode materials which are used in lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of Li-Co-BTC ternary metal-organic frameworks as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with diverse structures have been projected as futuristic electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, two ternary Li-Co-MOFs of three-dimensional (3D) porous structures were synthesized, inspired by LiCoO2 inorganic metal salts, through a simple solvothermal method and further applied as active cathode materials for the first time in lithium-ion batteries. In these MOF structures, the lithium atoms are located at the same (SNNU-73) or different (SNNU-76) sites as cobalt atoms, and the four-coordinated tetrahedron mode is used to coordinate with the oxygen atoms. The 3D porous frameworks provide a good channel for the embedding and de-embedding of lithium ions. The experimental results suggest that porous Li-Co-MOF ternary composites show excellent cycling stability. Particularly, the discharge capacity and average coulombic efficiency of SNNU-73 reach 155.6 mA h g-1 and nearly 100% for 50 cycles at a rate of 50 mA g-1. This synergistic effect of mixed Li and Co sites demonstrates great potential of MOFs as advanced electrode materials, and provides a promising route to designing porous materials for lithium-ion batteries in the future.

Tetrathiopyridyl-tetrathiafulvalene-based Cd(ii) coordination polymers: one ligand, one metal cation, many possibilities

A novel tetrathiafulvalene derivative bearing four 4-thiopyridyl units has been assembled with Cd(ii) salts for the construction of a series of coordination polymers with different structural organization depending on the ligand conformation.

Pristine Metal-Organic Frameworks and their Composites for Energy Storage and Conversion

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of crystalline porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials, have recently attracted increasing interest in the field of energy storage and conversion. Herein, recent progress of MOFs and MOF composites for energy storage and conversion applications, including photochemical and electrochemical fuel production (hydrogen production and CO₂ reduction), water oxidation, supercapacitors, and Li-based batteries (Li-ion, Li-S, and Li-O₂ batteries), is summarized. Typical development strategies (e.g., incorporation of active components, design of smart morphologies, and judicious selection of organic linkers and metal nodes) of MOFs and MOF composites for particular energy storage and conversion applications are highlighted. A broad overview of recent progress is provided, which will hopefully promote the future development of MOFs and MOF composites for advanced energy storage and conversion applications.

Breathing-Dependent Redox Activity in a Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Metal-Organic Framework

"Breathing" metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that involve changes in their structural and physical properties upon an external stimulus are an interesting class of crystalline materials due to their range of potential applications including chemical sensors. The addition of redox activity opens up a new pathway for multifunctional "breathing" frameworks. Herein, we report the continuous breathing behavior of a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based MOF, namely MUV-2, showing a reversible swelling (up to ca. 40% of the volume cell) upon solvent adsorption. Importantly, the planarity of the TTF linkers is influenced by the breathing behavior of the MOF, directly impacting on its electrochemical properties and thus opening the way for the development of new electrochemical sensors. Quantum chemical calculations and Raman spectroscopy have been used to provide insights into the tunability of the oxidation potential.

Confinement Effects of Metal-Organic Framework on the Formation of Charge-Transfer Tetrathiafulvalene Dimers

Three transition metal coordination polymers (CPs) based on the redox-active dimethylthio-tetrathiafulvalene-bicarboxylate (L) and 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp) ligands, formulated as [MnL(bpp)]_n (1), [CdL(bpp)]_n (2), and [Cd₂L(bpp)₂(H₂O)(C₂O₄)_0.5]_n·n(ClO₄)·n(H₂O) (3), are crystallographically characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural 2-D polymers, and 3 features an unusual 3-D metal-organic framework (MOF). The 3-D MOF is constructed from tetranuclear cluster nodes built through the μ₂-O bridge of the TTF ligand, which is first found for TTF coordination polymers. It is found that the channel generated by the 3-D MOF exerts a confinement effect on the formation of TTF dimers. The TTF dimers show strong intradimer interaction with partial electron transfer or charge transfer, and hence, the Cd compound 3 has relatively good photocurrent response property in comparison with that of 2-D Cd compound 2.

Crystal Engineering of Naphthalenediimide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks: Structure-Dependent Lithium Storage

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess great structural diversity because of the flexible design of linker groups and metal nodes. The structure-property correlation has been extensively investigated in areas like chiral catalysis, gas storage and absorption, water purification, energy storage, etc. However, the use of MOFs in lithium storage is hampered by stability issues, and how its porosity helps with battery performance is not well understood. Herein, through anion and thermodynamic control, we design a series of naphthalenediimide-based MOFs 1-4 that can be used for cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Complexation of the N,N'-di(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide (DPNDI) ligand and CdX₂ (X = NO₃^- or ClO₄^-) produces complexes MOFs 1 and 2 with a one-dimensional (1D) nonporous network and a porous, noninterpenetrated two-dimensional (2D) square-grid structure, respectively. With the DPNDI ligand and Co(NCS)₂, a porous 1D MOF 3 as a kinetic product is obtained, while a nonporous, noninterpenetrated 2D square-grid structure MOF 4 as a thermodynamic product is formed. The performance of LIBs is largely affected by the stability and porosity of these MOFs. For instance, the initial charge-discharge curves of MOFs 1 and 2 show a specific capacity of ∼47 mA h g^-1 with a capacity retention ratio of >70% during 50 cycles at 100 mA g^-1, which is much better than that of MOFs 3 and 4. The better performances are assigned to the higher stability of Cd(II) MOFs compared to that of Co(II) MOFs during the electrochemical process, according to X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, despite having the same Cd(II) node in the framework, MOF 2 exhibits a lithium-ion diffusion coefficient (D_Li) larger than that of MOF 1 because of its higher porosity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis indicate that metal nodes in these MOFs remain intact and only the DPNDI ligand undergoes the revisible redox reaction during the lithiation-delithiation process.

A proton-conducting cesium sulfonate metal organic framework

We report a cesium sulfonate metal organic framework (Cs3(L)(H2O)3.3, 1, L = 1,3,5-trisulfonato-2,4,6-trihydroxybenzene) with hydrated channels that conduct protons at 1.1 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 50% relative humidity and 70 °C. Water was crystallographically observed in the structure, and the likely proton-transfer pathway was studied. The material was not robust, and appropriate parameters were employed to ensure meaningful data were extracted from the study.

Solid-state electrochemistry of a semiconducting MMX-type diplatinum iodide chain complex

Electron-transfer-facilitated dissolution, ion insertion, and desorption associated with an MMX-type quasi-one-dimensional iodide-bridged dinuclear Pt complex (MMX chain) have been investigated for the first time. K2(NC3N)[Pt2(pop)4I]·4H2O (1) (NC3N(2+) = (H3NC3H6NH3)(2+); pop = P2H2O5(2-)) is a semiconductor with a three-dimensional coordination-bond and hydrogen-bond network included in the chain. The cyclic voltammetry of 1 was studied by using 1-modified electrodes in contact with acetonitrile solutions containing electrolyte. The chemical reversibility for oxidation of 1 depended on the electrolyte cation size, with large cations such as tetrabutylammonium (Bu4N(+)) being too large to penetrate the pores formed by the loss of K(+) and NC3N(2+) upon oxidation. The potential for reduction of 1 decreased as the cation size increased. The presence of the acid induced additional well-defined processes but with gradual solid dissolution, attributed to the breaking of the coordination-bond networks.

PbS nanoparticles capped with tetrathiafulvalenetetracarboxylate: utilizing energy level alignment for efficient carrier transport

We fabricate a field-effect transistor by covalently functionalizing PbS nanoparticles with tetrathiafulvalenetetracarboxylate. Following experimental results from cyclic voltammetry and ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we postulate a near-resonant alignment of the PbS 1Sh state and the organic HOMO, which is confirmed by atomistic calculations. Considering the large width of interparticle spacing, we observe an abnormally high field-effect hole mobility, which we attribute to the postulated resonance. In contrast to nanoparticle devices coupled through common short-chained ligands, our system maintains a large degree of macroscopic order as revealed by X-ray scattering. This provides a different approach to the design of hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials, circumvents the problem of phase segregation, and holds for versatile ways to design ordered, coupled nanoparticle thin films.

Radicals in metal–organic frameworks

We discuss early advances in the incorporation of radicals into the ever evolving class of materials known as metal–organic frameworks.

Metal-organic frameworks as a tunable platform for designing functional molecular materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as coordination polymers, represent an interesting class of crystalline molecular materials that are synthesized by combining metal-connecting points and bridging ligands. The modular nature of and mild conditions for MOF synthesis have permitted the rational structural design of numerous MOFs and the incorporation of various functionalities via constituent building blocks. The resulting designer MOFs have shown promise for applications in a number of areas, including gas storage/separation, nonlinear optics/ferroelectricity, catalysis, energy conversion/storage, chemical sensing, biomedical imaging, and drug delivery. The structure-property relationships of MOFs can also be readily established by taking advantage of the knowledge of their detailed atomic structures, which enables fine-tuning of their functionalities for desired applications. Through the combination of molecular synthesis and crystal engineering, MOFs thus present an unprecedented opportunity for the rational and precise design of functional materials.