Diverse Self-Assembly from Predesigned Conformationally Flexible Pentanuclear Clusters Observed in a Ternary Copper(II)–Triazolate–Sulfoisophthalate System: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetism

Multiscale Computational Screening of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Kr/Xe Adsorption Separation: A Structure-Property Relationship-Based Screening Strategy

The separation of radioactive noble gases, such as Xe and Kr, has attracted special attention in the context of used nuclear fuel (UNF). In this study, 180 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) formally used for selective adsorptions of ethane and ethylene, with a similar kinetic diameter to Kr and Xe, were initially screened for the Kr/Xe separation using the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method. Then, the structure-adsorption property relationships were generalized, that is, the MOFs of higher Kr/Xe selectivity are with the porosity at 0.2-0.4 and the ratio of the largest cavity diameter/pore limiting diameter at 1.0-2.4. Based on the relationships, six reported MOFs with large Kr uptakes and Kr/Xe selectivities were experimentally screened out and validated by GCMC simulations within the CoRE-MOF database, which are higher than most reported MOFs under conditions pertinent to nuclear fuel reprocessing of an 80/20 v/v mixture of Kr/Xe at normal temperature and pressure. Further simulations reveal that higher Kr uptakes and Kr/Xe selectivities of six MOFs result from the confinement effect of the pores. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the six MOFs are ideal membrane separation materials of Kr from Xe, which are driven by adsorption and diffusion. Analyses of electronic structure-based density functional theory calculations showed that the main interaction between Kr and the six MOFs is van der Waals force dominated by dispersion and induction interactions. Therefore, the generalized structure-adsorption property relationships may assist the screening of MOFs for the separation and production of Kr/Xe from UNF industrially.

Isopolymolybdate-Based Cobalt/Nickel Coordination Polymers Constructed by V-Type N-Donor Ligands

Four novel isopolymolybdate-based coordination polymers (CPs), constructed from 2,6-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pyridine (btp), 1,3-bis(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene (btb), and 3,5-bis(1-imidazolium)pyridine (bip), have been synthesized under a hydrothermal method: {[Co(btp)(H₂O)₂(β-Mo₈O₂₆)_0.5]·3H₂O}_n (1), [Ni(btp)(H₄Mo₆O₂₂)_0.5]_n (2), [Co(btb)(H₂O)(β-Mo₈O₂₆)_0.5]_n (3), and {[Co(Hbip)₂(H₂O)₂(γ-Mo₈O₂₆)]·6H₂O}_n (4). Complex 1 exhibits one 3D framework with an unexpected 3-nodal 2,4,6-c net topology containing the 1D {β-Mo₈O₂₆}_n chains, 6-connected Co^II centers, and V-type coordinated btp ligands. The neighboring [Mo₆O₂₂]^4- anions of complex 2 are bridged by the Ni^II centers to build one 2D {Ni₂(Mo₆O₂₂)} network, which is arranged into the 3D framework through the weak π···π stacking interactions. In compound 3, one 3D framework is formed by the adjacent 1D {Co₂(btp)₂}_n chains connected by {β-Mo₈O₂₆}_n units, which demonstrates a rare 4,6-c fsc topology. In complex 4, one 2D {Co(Hbip)₂(γ-Mo₈O₂₆)} layer with a (4, 4) network is connected to one 3D hydrogen-bonding framework via N-H···O and O-H···O hydrogen bonds. Magnetic data indicate that complexes 1 and 4 exhibit antiferromagnetic behaviors, whereas complexes 2 and 3 reveal spin-canting magnetic behavior and metamagnetic behavior, respectively. In addition, the proton conductivity of complexes 3 and 4 was investigated, showing that compound 4 has good proton conductivity at 85 °C and a relative humidity of 98% RH.

Crystal structure of 2-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonio)ethane-1-sulfonate, C6H15NO5S

C6H15NO5S, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 15.167(5) Å, b = 6.422(5) Å, c = 10.969(5) Å, β = 117.407(5)°, V = 948.5(9) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0278, wRref(F2) = 0.0755, T = 293(2) K.

Hexanuclear Cu3O-3Cu triazole-based units as novel core motifs for high nuclearity copper(ii) frameworks

The asymmetric 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole ligand H₂V (5-amino-3-picolinamido-1,2,4-triazole) by reaction with an excess of Cu(ii) perchlorate (Cu : H₂V being 12 : 1) has produced a novel hexanuclear {Cu₆(μ₃-O/H)(HV/V)₃} fragment, with one triangular Cu₃(μ₃-O/H) group connected to three peripheral single Cu(ii) ions through a cis-cis-trans bridging mode of the ligand, which is the building block of the three structures described here: one hexanuclear, [Cu₆(μ₃-O)(HV)₃(ClO₄)₇(H₂O)₉]·8H₂O (1), one dodecanuclear, [Cu₁₂(μ₃-O)₂(V)₆(ClO₄)₅(H₂O)₁₈](ClO₄)₃·6H₂O (2), and one tetradecanuclear 1D-polymer, {[Cu₁₄(μ₃-OH)₂(V)₆(HV)(ClO₄)₁₁(H₂O)₂₀](ClO₄)₂·14H₂O} _n (3), the last two containing hexanuclear subunits linked by perchlorato bridges. The Cu-Cu av. intra-triangle distance is 3.352(2) Å and the Cu(central)-Cu(bridged external) av. distance is 5.338(3) Å. The magnetic properties of the hexanuclear "Cu₃O-3Cu" cluster have been studied, resulting as best fit parameters: g = 2.18(1), J(intra-triangle) = -247.0(1) cm^-1 and j(central Cu^II - external Cu^II) = -5.15(2) cm^-1.

Different magnetic responses observed in Co, Co and Co-based MOFs

Four magnetic MOFs with anisotropic Co(II) ions, {[Co5(H2O)2(μ3-OH)2(atz)2(stp)2]·1.5H2O}n (1), {[Co5(H2O)2(μ3-OH)2(trz)2(stp)2]·1.3H2O}n (2), {[Co5(H2O)6(μ3-OH)2(trz)2(stp)2]·2.5CH3OH}n (3) and {[Co3(H2O)4(Hdatrz)2(stp)2]·3H2O}n (4) (stp(3-) = 2-sulfoterephthalate, trz(-) = 1,2,4-triazolate, atz(-) = 3-amino-1,2,4-triazolate and Hdatrz = 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole) were solvothermally isolated by varying the substituent groups appended on the N-heterocyclic triazole and structurally and magnetically characterized. Structural analyses indicate that the former two complexes are crystallographically isostructural, exhibiting pillared-layer frameworks with mixed triazolyl and carboxylate extended Co + Co layers supported by rigid stp(3-) connectors. Complex 3 is built from butterfly-shaped Co cluster-based layers, which are interconnected with single cobalt(ii) octahedra by ditopic stp(3-) bridges. By contrast, complex 4 consists of linear {Co3(μ-N1,N4-Hdatrz)2} subunits, which are extended by 3-connected stp(3-) linkers into a stable 3D framework. Magnetically, 1 exhibits ferromagnetic ordering below 2.7 K due to the well-organized alignment of the non-compensated resultant moment from octahedra and tetrahedral cobalt(ii) carriers, while 3 is in a non-zero paramagnetic state above 2.0 K resulting from the coexistence of intermetallic ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. The magnetic competition between weak inter-subunit antiferromagnetic interactions and the external magnetic field makes 4 behave as a field-induced metamagnet with a critical field of 27.5 kOe. These interesting magnetostructural results suggest that the anisotropy of the moment carrier and the interlayer/intersubunit separations significantly dominate the magnetic responses in extended MOFs, providing an informative platform for the further development of interesting magnetic materials, both of academic and industrial interest.

Stabilization of Cu7 clusters in azide networks: syntheses, structures and magnetic behaviour

Two new azide bridged copper(II) coordination polymer compounds, [Cu7(N3)14(C3H10N2)(C4H13N3)]n (I) and [Cu7(N3)14(C3H10N2)(C5H15N3)2]n (II) [where C3H10N2 = 1,2-diaminopropane (1,2-DAP); C4H13N3 = diethylenetriamine (DETA); C5H15N3 = N-2-aminoethyl-1,3-propanediamine (AEDAP)] were prepared by employing a room temperature diffusion technique involving three layers. Single crystal studies reveal that both compounds I and II, have similar connectivity forming Cu7 clusters through end-on (EO) bonding of the azide. The Cu7 clusters are connected through end-to-end (EE) connectivity of the azides forming three-dimensional structures. Magnetic studies confirmed the ferromagnetic interactions within the Cu7 units and revealed the occurrence of concomitant ferro- and antiferro-magnetic interactions between these clusters. As a result I behaves as a weak-ferromagnet with TC = 10 K.

Magnetism behaviours dominated by the interplay of magnetic anisotropy and exchange coupling in local CoII7 discs

Structure and magnetism of two CoII7 disc-based layers were reported. An asymmetric CoII7 core in the (4,4) layer exhibited single-molecule magnetic behavior. A highly symmetric C_2h CoII7 disc in the (3,6) sheet showed ferromagnetic exchange.

3,5-Bis((4′-carboxylbenzyl)oxy)benzoilate-based coordination polymers: their synthesis, structural characterization, and sensing properties

The structural characterization of four 3,5-bis((4′-carboxylbenzyl)oxy)benzoilate-based coordination polymers has been reported, and the sensing ability of 2 and 4 on NB has been investigated.

An unusual 32-membered copper(ii) metallomacrocube based on a Cu4O3X cubic core: photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and magnetic properties

The first Cu₃₂ cluster featuring a multi-cubane (Cu₄O₃X) structure exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the degradation of organic pollutant rhodamine B, good electrocatalytic activity for nitrite reduction, and strong antiferromagnetic interactions.

Four linear Cu(II)3 subunit-based coordination polymers with various inter-subunit connections, spin ground-states and intra-/inter-subunit magnetic couplings

Four new 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (atr)-based coordination polymers, {[Cu2(atr)(H2O)(μ-OH)2(pa)]·H2O}n (), {[Cu3(atr)2(H2O)2(μ-OH)2(npa)2]·2H2O}n (), {[Cu3(atr)5(dca)(μ-OH)(ClO4)2](ClO4)2}n () and {[Cu3(atr)2(H2O)(μ3-OH)(μ-OH)2(spa)]·1.5H2O}n () (pa(2-) = phthalate, npa(2-) = 3-nitrophthalate, dca(-) = dicyanamide and spa(3-) = 4-sulfophthalate), were successfully obtained by varying the carboxylate- and cyanide-modified magnetic bridges. Structural determinations reveal that the former three samples are bent one-dimensional chains constructed from linear Cu(II)3 subunits and different inter-subunit connections. In , linear {Cu3(μ-N1,N2-atr)2(μ-OH)2}(4+) and {Cu3(μ-COO)2(μ-OH)2}(4+) subunits are alternately connected in a sharing-vertex manner to give a ferrimagnetic S = 1/2 spin ground-state. The linear {Cu3(μ-N1,N2-atr)2(μ-OH)2}(4+) building block of is repeatedly bridged by pairs of single-atom bridging carboxylate groups of the npa(2-) ligand leading to a paramagnetic S = 1/2 spin ground-state. By contrast, each linear {Cu3(μ-N1,N2-atr)4}(6+) core in is periodically propagated by four-fold heterobridges (μ-OH(-), μ-ClO4(-), μ-N1,N2-atr and μ-dca(-)) to generate an overall diamagnetic S = 0 spin ground-state. Complex is a three-dimensional pillared-layer framework composed of linear {Cu3(μ-N1,N2-atr)2(μ-OH)2}(4+)-based layers and ditopic spa(3-) connectors, which exhibits a ferrimagnetic S = 1/2 spin ground-state and a metamagnetic transition resulting from the competition between the weak interchain/interlayer antiferromagnetic interaction and the enhanced external magnetic field. In addition, different intra- and inter-subunit magnetic strengths are observed in with the coupling constants 182 < -Jintra < 43 and -127 < Jinter < 51.2 cm(-1). These interesting magnetostructural results are significant and helpful for the cyclic polyazolate-based magnetic materials.

Four tetrazolate-based 3D frameworks with diverse subunits directed by inorganic anions and azido coligand: hydro/solvothermal syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties

Four magnetic frameworks with hourglass-shaped {Cu₅(μ₃-OH)₂}⁸⁺ cluster, linear {Cu₃(μ-Cl)₂}⁴⁺ core, linear {Cu(μ_1,1-N₃)}⁺ chain and trigonal-prismatic {Cu₈(μ₃-tz)₆}¹⁰⁺ motifs were reported.

Construction of Fe6, Fe8 and Mn8 metallamacrocyclic complexes and magnetic properties

Hexanuclear-based 1 and octanuclear metallamacrocycle-based three-dimensional isostructural framework 2 and 3 have been obtained and characterised. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the three complexes display antiferromagnetic couplings.

Triazolate-based 3D frameworks and a 2D layer with centrosymmetric CuII7, CuII5, CuII4 clusters and tunable interlayer/interchain compactness: hydrothermal syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties

A 2D layer and three 3D frameworks with different interchain/interlayer compactness and spin ground-states were reported.