Structural and catalytic performance of a polyoxometalate-based metal-organic framework having a lanthanide nanocage as a secondary building block

Principles of Design and Synthesis of Metal Derivatives from MOFs

Materials derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have demonstrated exceptional structural variety and complexity and can be synthesized using low-cost scalable methods. Although the inherent instability and low electrical conductivity of MOFs are largely responsible for their low uptake for catalysis and energy storage, a superior alternative is MOF-derived metal-based derivatives (MDs) as these can retain the complex nanostructures of MOFs while exhibiting stability and electrical conductivities of several orders of magnitude higher. The present work comprehensively reviews MDs in terms of synthesis and their nanostructural design, including oxides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, carbides, transition metals, and other minor species. The focal point of the approach is the identification and rationalization of the design parameters that lead to the generation of optimal compositions, structures, nanostructures, and resultant performance parameters. The aim of this approach is to provide an inclusive platform for the strategies to design and process these materials for specific applications. This work is complemented by detailed figures that both summarize the design and processing approaches that have been reported and indicate potential trajectories for development. The work is also supported by comprehensive and up-to-date tabular coverage of the reported studies.

UiO-66-NH2 and Zeolite-Templated Carbon Composites for the Degradation and Adsorption of Nerve Agents

Composites of metal-organic frameworks and carbon materials have been suggested to be effective materials for the decomposition of chemical warfare agents. In this study, we synthesized UiO-66-NH2/zeolite-templated carbon (ZTC) composites for the adsorption and decomposition of the nerve agents sarin and soman. UiO-66-NH2/ZTC composites with good dispersion were prepared via a solvothermal method. Characterization studies showed that the composites had higher specific surface areas than pristine UiO-66-NH2, with broad pore size distributions centered at 1-2 nm. Owing to their porous nature, the UiO-66-NH2/ZTC composites could adsorb more water at 80% relative humidity. Among the UiO-66-NH2/ZTC composites, U0.8Z0.2 showed the best degradation performance. Characterization and gas adsorption studies revealed that beta-ZTC in U0.8Z0.2 provided additional adsorption and degradation sites for nerve agents. Among the investigated materials, including the pristine materials, U0.8Z0.2 also exhibited the best protection performance against the nerve agents. These results demonstrate that U0.8Z0.2 has the optimal composition for exploiting the degradation performance of pristine UiO-66-NH2 and the adsorption performance of pristine beta-ZTC.

Polyoxometalate-based metal–organic frameworks for heterogeneous catalysis

POM-based MOFs simultaneously possessing the virtues of POMs and MOFs exhibit excellent heterogeneous catalytic properties.

Strategies for Incorporating Catalytically Active Polyoxometalates in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Organic Transformations

Polyoxometalates (POMs) can benefit from immobilization on solid supports to overcome their difficulty in processability and stability. Among the reported solid supports, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a crystalline, versatile platform for depositing highly active POMs. The combination of these structures can at times benefit from the combined reactivity of both the POM and MOF, sometimes synergistically, to improve catalysis while balancing desirable properties like porosity, substrate diffusion, or stability. In this Review, we survey the strategies for immobilizing POMs within MOF structures, with an emphasis on how physical and catalytic properties of the parent materials are affected in the composite when employed in organic transformations.

Rare-earth metal–organic frameworks: from structure to applications

In the past 30 years, rare-earth metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been gaining attention owing to their diverse chemical structures, and tunable properties.

Effect of surface acidity of cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complexes on the catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of organophosphates

Heterogeneous catalysis of cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complexes was examined for the hydrolysis of toxic organophosphates. The surface acidity of cyano-bridged polynuclear metal complexes strongly effects on the catalytic activity.

Sandwich-type silicotungstate modified TiO2 microspheres for enhancing light harvesting and reducing electron recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells

Sandwich-type silicotungstates have been applied in DSSCs where an 0.8% Ni₄ modified photoanode exhibited the best performance in enhancing light harvesting and reducing electron recombination.

pH-Controlled assembly of two novel Dawson-sandwiched clusters involving the in situ reorganization of trivacant α-[P2W15O56](12-) into divacant α-[P2W16O57](8.)

Modified classical trivacant Wells-Dawson α-[P2W15O56](12-) and the assembly of related sandwiched transition metal clusters are of interest, but surprisingly few reports of these materials exist because of the sensitivity of α-[P2W15O56](12-) to the assembly environment. Herein, we describe the pH-controlled assembly of two novel Dawson-sandwiched clusters, (H2bpz)6[Co2(P2W16O57)2]·22H2O (1, bpz = 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-bipyrazole) and (H2bpz)6[Co3H2(P2W16O57)(P2W15O56)(H2O)]·12H2O (2), involving the in situ transformation of α-[P2W15O56](12-). Both clusters were characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and elemental analyses. X-ray crystallography showed that both heteropolytungstates become divacant α-[P2W16O57](8-) and symmetrically encapsulate two edge-shared CoO6 octahedra in the interior in 1, while only one divacant α-[P2W16O57](8-) is observed in 2, which combined with another trivacant α-[P2W15O56](12-) to asymmetrically clamp three edge-shared CoO6 octahedra. The α-[P2W16O57](8-) heteropolytungstate should be generated in situ from α-[P2W15O56](12-)via self-decomposition equilibria in solution. Their electrochemical behaviors reveal characteristic multi-electron redox processes related to W(VI) centers. The electrocatalytic reduction performances toward nitrite, hydrogen peroxide, chlorate, bromate and iodate were fully measured and discussed; among these species, both clusters exhibit the best electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of bromate. Magnetic measurements indicate weak ferromagnetic exchange interactions between Co atoms sandwiched by vacant polyoxometalates.

From 1D to 3D lanthanide coordination polymers constructed with pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid: synthesis, crystal structures, and catalytic properties

Three series of lanthanide coordination polymers have been synthesized. The structural difference may be derived from the lanthanide contraction. Moreover, we also discussed the size-selective catalytic activity towards cyanosilylation of aldehydes.

First quadruple-glycine bridging mono-lanthanide-substituted borotungstate hybrids

A class of novel organic–inorganic hybrid quadruple-glycine lanthanide-substituted Keggin-type borotungstates have been synthesized and characterized.

Metal-organic frameworks: versatile heterogeneous catalysts for efficient catalytic organic transformations

Novel catalytic materials are highly demanded to perform a variety of catalytic organic reactions. MOFs combine the benefits of heterogeneous catalysis like easy post reaction separation, catalyst reusability, high stability and homogeneous catalysis such as high efficiency, selectivity, controllability and mild reaction conditions. The possible organization of active centers like metallic nodes, organic linkers, and their chemical synthetic functionalization on the nanoscale shows potential to build up MOFs particularly modified for catalytic challenges. In this review, we have summarized the recent research progress in heterogeneous catalysis by MOFs and their catalytic behavior in various organic reactions, highlighting the key features of MOFs as catalysts based on the active sites in the framework. Examples of their post functionalization, inclusion of active guest species and metal nanoparticles have been discussed. Finally, the use of MOFs as catalysts for asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis and stability of MOFs has been presented as separate sections.

Destruction of chemical warfare agents using metal-organic frameworks

Chemical warfare agents containing phosphonate ester bonds are among the most toxic chemicals known to mankind. Recent global military events, such as the conflict and disarmament in Syria, have brought into focus the need to find effective strategies for the rapid destruction of these banned chemicals. Solutions are needed for immediate personal protection (for example, the filtration and catalytic destruction of airborne versions of agents), bulk destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles, protection (via coating) of clothing, equipment and buildings, and containment of agent spills. Solid heterogeneous materials such as modified activated carbon or metal oxides exhibit many desirable characteristics for the destruction of chemical warfare agents. However, low sorptive capacities, low effective active site loadings, deactivation of the active site, slow degradation kinetics, and/or a lack of tailorability offer significant room for improvement in these materials. Here, we report a carefully chosen metal-organic framework (MOF) material featuring high porosity and exceptional chemical stability that is extraordinarily effective for the degradation of nerve agents and their simulants. Experimental and computational evidence points to Lewis-acidic Zr(IV) ions as the active sites and to their superb accessibility as a defining element of their efficacy.

Structural diversity of luminescent lanthanide metal–organic frameworks based on a V-shaped ligand

A systematic research of solvent and temperature induced structural diversity of lanthanide metal–organic frameworks based on a V-shaped ligand.

Tuning the dimension of POM-based inorganic–organic hybrids from 3D self-penetrating framework to 1D poly-pendant chain via changing POM clusters and introducing secondary spacers

The four compounds show distinct structure motifs, which illustrate that the POMs and the secondary spacers are key factors to tune the dimension of the POM-based hybrids.

Simple and compelling biomimetic metal-organic framework catalyst for the degradation of nerve agent simulants

Inspired by biology, in which a bimetallic hydroxide-bridged zinc(II)-containing enzyme is utilized to catalytically hydrolyze phosphate ester bonds, the utility of a zirconium(IV)-cluster-containing metal-organic framework as a catalyst for the methanolysis and hydrolysis of phosphate-based nerve agent simulants was examined. The combination of the strong Lewis-acidic Zr(IV) and bridging hydroxide anions led to ultrafast half-lives for these solvolysis reactions. This is especially remarkable considering that the actual catalyst loading was a mere 0.045 % as a result of the surface-only catalysis observed.

Two polyoxometalate-based coordination polymers constructed from Mn(II)-4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide building blocks and Keggin-type clusters: Syntheses, crystal structures and spectral properties

Two polyoxometalate-based coordination polymers {[Mn2(dpdo)4(H2O)6](GeMo12O40)(H2O)4}n (1) and {[Mn2(dpdo)4(H2O)6](GeW12O40)(H2O)3}n (2) (dpdo=4,4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, XRPD, TG technique and X-ray crystallography. The polymers 1 and 2 are basically isostructural and feature a 3D supramolecular framework decorated with Keggin-type polyanion clusters based on one-dimension polymeric chains, which formed through the coordination interaction of Mn(II) and dpdo. The luminescent properties of the polymers were investigated in the solid state at room temperature.

Assembly of one novel polyoxometalate-based inorganic-organic compound from copper-Schiff base building block: synthesis, crystal structure and spectral properties

A novel copper(II) inorganic-organic hybrid compound [CuL(DMF)(CH(3)OH)](2)(PMo(V)Mo(VI)(11)O(40))·2DMF (L=phenyl 2-pyridyl ketone azine) 1 has been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. Cu(II) atom has a distorted square pyramidal environment interconnecting with N(3)O(2) donor set. In solid-state there are three types of C-H···π interactions between adjacent [CuL(DMF)(CH(3)OH)](2+), which generate a two-dimensional (2D) layer. Adjacent 2D layers form porous channels in which polyoxoanions as templates are filled. Simultaneously, the oxygen atoms of polyoxoanion as electron acceptors feather multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds, through which giving rise to a 3D supramolecular network. The luminescent properties of the compound 1 were investigated in the solid state and in aqueous solution at room temperature, respectively.