Mimicking Zeolite to Its Core: Porous Sodalite Cages as Hangers for Pendant Trimeric M3(OH) Clusters (M = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd)

Structural Features, Chemical Diversity, and Physical Properties of Microporous Sodalite-Type Materials: A Review

This review contains data on a wide class of microporous materials with frameworks belonging to the sodalite topological type. Various methods for the synthesis of these materials, their structural and crystal chemical features, as well as physical and chemical properties are discussed. Specific properties of sodalite-related materials make it possible to consider they as thermally stable ionic conductors, catalysts and catalyst carriers, sorbents, ion exchangers for water purification, matrices for the immobilization of radionuclides and heavy metals, hydrogen and methane storage, and stabilization of chromophores and phosphors. It has been shown that the diversity of properties of sodalite-type materials is associated with the chemical diversity of their frameworks and extra-framework components, as well as with the high elasticity of the framework.

Temperature-Dependent Superhydrophobic Functionalized Coordination Polymers (SFCPs) for Selective Adsorption of C2H4 over C2H6

We prepared two new superhydrophobic functionalized coordination polymers (SFCPs) [Zn₄(OH)₂(BTMB)₂(4,4'-Bipy)₂]_∞ ⊃ solvent, 1, and [Cd₄(OH)₂(BTMB)₂(4,4'-Bipy)₃]_∞ ⊃ solvent, 2, by solvothermal methods. For 1, the single-crystal XRD structure revealed that it contains two crystallographically distinct Zn²⁺ ions with two different types of coordination geometries of 4 and 6, exhibiting a unique superhydrophobic behavior with microporosity. Compound 1 exhibits superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 155.5° (at 30 °C), which is stable even at high temperatures, whereas for the SFCP 2, all of the Cd²⁺ ions have only 6-coordination and exhibit a superhydrophobic character at room temperature with a contact angle of 156.7°(at 30 °C). However, surprisingly, this superhydrophobic character is stable only up to 60 °C, above which it is converted to hydrophilic nature, in contrast to the SFCP 1. Moreover, in this study, we also report a selective gas adsorption study of two C2 gases with similar kinetic diameters (∼3.9 Å) of ethylene over ethane.

Designable assembly of atomically precise Al4O4 cubane supported mesoporous heterometallic architectures

Heterometallic cluster-based framework materials are of interest in terms of both their porous structures and multi-metallic reactivity. However, such materials have not yet been extensively investigated because of difficulties in their synthesis and structural characterization. Herein, we reported the designable synthesis of atomically precise heterometallic cluster-based framework compounds and their application as catalysts in aldol reactions. By using the synergistic coordination protocol, we successfully isolated a broad range of compounds with the general formula, [Al4M4O4(L)12(DABCO)2] (L = carboxylates; DABCO = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane; M2+ = Co2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cd2+). The basic heterometallic building blocks contain unprecedented main-group γ-alumina moieties and surrounding unsaturated transition metal centers. Interestingly, the porosity and interpenetration of these frameworks can be rationally regulated through the unprecedented strategy of increment of the metal radius in addition to general introduction of sterically bulky groups on the ligand. Furthermore, these porous materials are effective catalysts for aldol reactions. This work provides a catalytic molecular model platform with accurate molecular bonding between the supporters and catalytically active metal ions.

Synthesis, Structure and Highly Selective C3H8/CH4 and C2H6/CH4 Adsorptions of a (4,8)-c Ternary flu-Metal-organic Framework based upon both [Sc4O2(COO)8] and [Cu4OCl6] Clusters

A new ternary flu topological metal-organic framework based upon the torsional cubic 8-connected [Sc4O2(COO)8] cluster and the tetrahedral 4-connected [Cu4OCl6] cluster, namely, [Sc4O2(Cu4Cl6O)2(L)8•5H2O]•xGuest (SNNU-Bai69; SNNU-Bai = Shaanxi Normal University, Bai’s...

Double-Walled Zn36@Zn104 Multicomponent Senary Metal-Organic Polyhedral Framework and Its Isoreticular Evolution

Metal-organic polyhedral frameworks are attractive in gas storage and separation due to large voids with windows that can serve as traps for guest molecules. Introducing multivariant/multicomponent functionalities in them are ways of improving performances for certain targets. The high compatibility of organic linkers can generate multivariant MOFs, but by far, the diversity of secondary building units (SBUs) in a single metal-organic framework is still limited (no more than two in most cases). Here we report a new double-walled Zn₃₆@Zn₁₀₄ metal-organic polyhedral framework (HHU-8) with five types of topologically distinct SBUs and its isoreticular evolution to the Zn₃₆@Zn₁₃₆ counterpart (HHU-8s). Both MOFs are the first to be constructed with such high numbers of topologically distinct SBUs as well as topologically distinct nodes, and their formation and evolution provide new insight into SBU's controllability.

Ultrastable High-Connected Chromium Metal-Organic Frameworks

State-of-the-art MOFs are generally known for chemical stability at one end of the pH scale (i.e., pH < 0 or pH > 14). Herein, we report new Cr-MOFs capable of withstanding extreme pH conditions across approximately 16 pH units from pH < 0 to pH > 14, likely the largest observed pH range for MOFs. The integration of multiple stability-enhancing factors including nonlabile Cr³⁺, mixed Cr-N and Cr-O cross-links, and the highest possible connectivity by Cr₃O trimers enables extraordinary chemical stability confirmed by both PXRD and gas adsorption. Notably, the base stability is much higher than literature Cr-MOFs, thereby revitalizing Cr-MOF's viability in the pursuit for the most chemically stable MOFs. Among known cationic MOFs, the chemical stability of these new Cr-MOFs is unmatchable, to our knowledge. These Cr-MOFs can be developed into multiseries of isoreticular MOFs with a rich potential for functionalization, pore size, and pore geometry engineering and applications.

A Tunable Multivariate Metal-Organic Framework as a Platform for Designing Photocatalysts

Catalysts for photochemical reactions underlie many foundations in our lives, from natural light harvesting to modern energy storage and conversion, including processes such as water photolysis by TiO2. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted large interest within the chemical research community, as their structural variety and tunability yield advantages in designing photocatalysts to address energy and environmental challenges. Here, we report a series of novel multivariate metal-organic frameworks (MTV-MOFs), denoted as MTV-MIL-100. They are constructed by linking aromatic carboxylates and AB2OX3 bimetallic clusters, which have ordered atomic arrangements. Synthesized through a solvent-assisted approach, these ordered and multivariate metal clusters offer an opportunity to enhance and fine-tune the electronic structures of the crystalline materials. Moreover, mass transport is improved by taking advantage of the high porosity of the MOF structure. Combining these key advantages, MTV-MIL-100(Ti,Co) exhibits a high photoactivity with a turnover frequency of 113.7 molH2 gcat.-1 min-1, a quantum efficiency of 4.25%, and a space time yield of 4.96 × 10-5 in the photocatalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane. Bridging the fields of perovskites and MOFs, this work provides a novel platform for the design of highly active photocatalysts.

The crucial roles of guest water in a biocompatible coordination network in the catalytic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters: a new mechanistic perspective

The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters/carbonates is a crucial approach for the synthesis of biocompatible and biodegradable polyesters. Even though numerous efficient ROP catalysts have been well established, their toxicity heavily limits the biomedical applications of polyester products. To solve the toxicity issues relating to ROP catalysts, we report herein a biocompatible coordination network, CZU-1, consisting of Zn₄(μ₄-O)(COO)₆ secondary building units (SBUs), biomedicine-relevant organic linkers and guest water, which demonstrates high potential for use in the catalytic ROP synthesis of biomedicine-applicable polyesters. Both experimental and computational results reveal that the guest water in CZU-1 plays crucial roles in the activation of the Zn₄(μ₄-O)(COO)₆ SBUs by generating μ₄-OH Brønsted acid centers and Zn-OH Lewis acid centers, having a synergistic effect on the catalytic ROP of cyclic esters. Different to the mechanism reported in the literature, we propose a new reaction pathway for the catalytic ROP reaction, which has been confirmed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, in situ diffuse reflectance IR Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS). Additionally, the hydroxyl end groups allow the polyester products to be easily post-modified with different functional moieties to tune their properties for practical applications. We particularly expect that the proposed catalytic ROP mechanism and the developed catalyst design principle will be generally applicable for the controlled synthesis of biomedicine-applicable polymeric materials.

Three Anionic Indium-Organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient and Selective Dye Adsorption, Lanthanide Adsorption, and Luminescence Regulation

Through solvothermal reaction of InCl₃ and tetracarboxylate ligands with different substituent groups on diphenyl ethers, three new anionic indium-organic frameworks have been successfully prepared. They are {[(CH₃)₂NH₂]In(G-1)(H₂O)}·9DMF (1), {[(CH₃)₂NH₂]In(G-2)}·15DMF (2), and {[(CH₃)₂NH₂]₂In₂(G-3)₂}·16DMF (3) {DMF = N, N'-dimethylformamide; H₄(G-1) = 5',5″″-oxybis(2'-methoxy[1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid); H₄(G-2) = 5',5″″-oxybis(2'-amino[1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid); H₄(G-3) = 5',5″″-oxybis([1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid)}. Compounds 1-3 can be simplified as unimodal 4-connected frameworks with different topological types: lon, cag, and dia, respectively. Compounds 1 and 3 display 2-fold interpenetrating nets, while compound 2 is non-interpenetrating. Compounds 1 and 3 can adsorb cationic methylene blue (MB) with good capacity and a high adsorption rate due to their anionic frameworks and channel-type voids. In particular, compound 1 exhibits great selectivity for cationic MB in the mixtures of MB and methyl orange. In addition, the adsorption behavior of rare earth ions (Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺) on compounds 1 and 3 has also been studied. Due to the different structural features and channel sizes of compounds 1 and 3 caused by different substituents on the ligands, the adsorption properties of rare earth ions on the two compounds are different.

A superstable 3p-block metal–organic framework platform towards prominent CO2 and C1/C2-hydrocarbon uptake and separation performance and strong Lewis acid catalysis for CO2 fixation

Superstable 3p-block MOF platforms exhibit excellent gas uptake and separation performance, and prominent Lewis acid catalysis for CO₂ fixation.

Highly stable Y(iii)-based metal organic framework with two molecular building block for selective adsorption of C2H2 and CO2 over CH4

A novel microporous MOF ZJU-16 exhibited high thermal and chemical stability and moderately high selective separation of C₂H₂/CH₄ and CO₂/CH₄.

Extending Unique 1D Borate Chains to 3D Frameworks by Introducing Metallic Nodes

Two novel alkali/alkaline-earth borates, Ba₆ [B₆ O₉ (OH)₆ ]₂ (H₃ BO₃ ) (1) and Li₇ MAlB₁₂ O₂₄ (M=Ba, Sr, Ca) (2 a-c), with 1D and 3D structures have been made hydrothermally and characterized. 1 features a rare 1D anionic chain built by hexaborate clusters of B₆ O₁₁ (OH)₆ ; each made of six BO₄ /BO₂ (OH)₂ tetrahedra. The anionic chains are embedded in the channels of a Ba₆ -based wheel-cluster open-framework. On the basis of the structural analyses of 1, by incorporating Al atoms as the linkers and tuning the reaction conditions, the novel anhydrous 3D aluminoborates (ABOs) 2 a-c have been successfully obtained, constructed from B₆ O₁₄ -based cluster chains and AlO₆ octahedra. The 3D ABO framework and 3D Ba-O-Li network are interpenetrated to give a final dense structure. The study not only realized the expansion of the structure from the 1D chain of 1 to the 3D dense ABOs 2 a-c, but also obtained the first 3D AlO₆ -containing ABOs made under hydrothermal conditions. Different from the previously known 4-connected zeolite-type ABOs, alternately arranged from AlO₄ tetrahedra and oxo-boron clusters, the AlO₆ octahedra in 2 a-c as the linkers join to six 1D B₆ O₁₄ -based cluster chains to produce 3D ABOs. The optical diffuse reflectance spectra reveal that 2 a-c have wide range transparency. In addition, the thermal property analysis proves that 2 a-c are congruently melting compounds and possess high thermostability.

Pore Space Partition in Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have emerged as one of the favorite crystalline porous materials (CPM) because of their compositional and geometric tunability and many possible applications. In efforts to develop better MOFs for gas storage and separation, a number of strategies including creation of open metal sites and implantation of Lewis base sites have been used to tune host-guest interactions. In addition to these chemical factors, the geometric features such as pore size and shape, surface area, and pore volume also play important roles in sorption energetics and uptake capacity. For efficient capture of small gas molecules such as carbon dioxide under ambient conditions, large surface area or high pore volume are often not needed. Instead, maximizing host-guest interactions or the density of binding sites by encaging gas molecules in snug pockets of pore space can be a fruitful approach. To put this concept into practice, the pore space partition (PSP) concept has been proposed and has achieved a great experimental success. In this account, we will highlight many efforts to implement PSP in MOFs and impact of PSP on gas uptake performance. In the synthetic design of PSP, it is helpful to distinguish between factors that contribute to the framework formation and factors that serve the purpose of PSP. Because of the need for complementary structural roles, the synthesis of MOFs with PSP often involves multicomponent systems including mixed ligands, mixed inorganic nodes, or both. It is possible to accomplish both framework formation and PSP with a single type of polyfunctional ligands that use some functional groups (called framework-forming group) for framework formation and the remaining functional groups (called pore-partition group) for PSP. Alternatively, framework formation and PSP can be shouldered by different chemical species. For example, in a mixed-ligand system, one ligand (called framework-forming agent) can play the role of the framework formation while the other type of ligand (called pore-partition agent) can assume the role of PSP. PSP is sensitive to the types of inorganic secondary building units (SBUs). The coexistence of SBUs complementary in charge, connectivity, and so on can promote PSP. The use of heterometallic systems can promote the diversity of SBUs coexistent under a given condition. Heterometallic system with metal ions of different oxidation states also provides the charge tunability of SBUs and the overall framework, providing an additional level of control in self-assembly and ultimately in the materials' properties. Of particular interest is the PSP in MIL-88 type (acs-type topology) structure, which has led to a huge family of CPMs (called pacs CPMs, pacs = partitioned acs) exhibiting low isosteric heat of adsorption and yet superior CO₂ uptake capacity.

Synthesis and thermodynamic study of transition metal ion (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) exchanged zeolites A and Y

Transition metal cations (Mn(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+)) containing zeolites A and Y were synthesized by ion exchange and their thermochemistry was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The enthalpies of formation from oxides for Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn zeolites A range from 14.0 ± 1.3 to 67.6 ± 5.5 kJ mol(-1) and those for Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn zeolites Y range from 8.0 ± 2.0 to 32.6 ± 1.8 kJ mol(-1). All these zeolites are thus metastable with respect to oxide components and to other dense phases. The formation enthalpies of Mn and Zn exchanged zeolites A and Y are less endothermic than those of corresponding Co and Cu exchanged A and Y. These energetics are consistent with metal oxygen bond lengths and related to crystal field effects of transition metal ions. Similar thermodynamic trends have been seen in transition metal containing spinel, olivine and pyroxene materials. The enthalpies of exchange of transition metals in zeolites A and Y with sodium in aqueous solution are calculated and suggest that these zeolites could be reasonably effective sorbents for heavy metal waste.

Selectivity of CO2via pore space partition in zeolitic boron imidazolate frameworks

Co-assembly between boron imidazolate ligands and bridging dicarboxylate ligands with metal centers leads to pore space partitioning in two distinct BIFs with zeotype GIS (BIF-41) and ABW (BIF-42) topologies, respectively. BIF-41 shows high selectivity sorption of CO₂ over N₂.

Cavity partition and functionalization of a [2+3] organic molecular cage by inserting polar PO bonds

The cavity of a [2+3] organic molecular cage was partitioned and functionalized by inserting inner-directed PO bonds, which shows CO₂ capture and CH₄ exclusion due to the size-matching and polarity effects.

Co5In(BTC)4[B2O4(OH)]2: the first MOF material constructed by borate polyanions and carboxylate mixed ligands

A novel heterometallic organic–inorganic hybrid MOF material, Co₅In(BTC)₄[B₂O₄(OH)]₂, has been synthesized under ionothermal conditions. Its structure is characterized as a 3D open framework constructed by the Co_2.5In_0.5[B₂O₄(OH)] cluster and the 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate ligand.

Hierarchical Metal-Organic Framework Hybrids: Perturbation-Assisted Nanofusion Synthesis

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a new family of microporous materials; however, microporous-mesoporous hierarchical MOF materials have been less investigated because of the lack of simple, reliable methods to introduce mesopores to the crystalline microporous particles. State-of-the-art MOF hierarchical materials have been prepared by ligand extension methods or by using a template, resulting in intrinsic mesopores of longer ligands or replicated pores from template agents, respectively. However, mesoporous MOF materials obtained through ligand extension often collapse in the absence of guest molecules, which dramatically reduces the size of the pore aperture. Although the template-directed strategy allows for the preparation of hierarchical materials with larger mesopores, the latter requires a template removal step, which may result in the collapse of the implemented mesopores. Recently, a general template-free synthesis of hierarchical microporous crystalline frameworks, such as MOFs and Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), has been reported. This new method is based on the kinetically controlled precipitation (perturbation), with simultaneous condensation and redissolution of polymorphic nanocrystallites in the mother liquor. This method further eliminates the use of extended organic ligands and the micropores do not collapse upon removal of trapped guest solvent molecules, thus yielding hierarchical MOF materials with intriguing porosity in the gram scale. The hierarchical MOF materials prepared in this way exhibited exceptional properties when tested for the adsorption of large organic dyes over their corresponding microporous frameworks, due to the enhanced pore accessibility and electrolyte diffusion within the mesopores. As for PBAs, the pore size distribution of these materials can be tailored by changing the metals substituting Fe cations in the PB lattice. For these, the textural mesopores increased from approximately 10 nm for Cu analogue (mesoCuHCF), to 16 nm in Co substituted compound (mesoCoHCF), and to as large as 30 nm for the Ni derivative (mesoNiHCF). While bulk PB and analogues have a higher capacitance than hierarchical analogues for Na-batteries, the increased accessibility to the microporous channels of PBAs allow for faster intercalated ion exchange and diffusion than in bulk PBA crystals. Thus, hierarchical PBAs are promising candidates for electrodes in future electrochemical energy storage devices with faster charge-discharge rates than batteries, namely pseudocapacitors. Finally, this new synthetic method opens the possibility to prepare hierarchical materials having bimodal distribution of mesopores, and to tailor the structural properties of MOFs for different applications, including contrasting agents for MRI, and drug delivery.

Structure refinement and photocatalytic properties of porous POMCPs by selecting the isomerous PYTTZ

Two POMCPs with similar building units and different motifs of tunnels were reported.

Structural diversity and magnetic properties of three metal–organic frameworks assembled from a T-shaped linker

Three helical metal–organic frameworks were solvothermally synthesized by reacting a T-shaped linker, 2,2′-bipyridyl-5,5′-dicarboxylic acid ligand with transition metals, and the magnetic properties of the compounds were studied.

Synthesis of metal–organic framework particles and thin films via nanoscopic metal oxide precursors

Metal–organic framework films were fabricated on versatile substrates through the nanoscale-facilitated transformation of nanoscopic metal-oxide precursors.