Metal-Cation-Directed de Novo Assembly of a Functionalized Guest Molecule in the Nanospace of a Metal–Organic Framework

Metal-organic frameworks for biomedical applications: A review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emergent materials in diverse prospective biomedical uses, owing to their inherent features such as adjustable pore dimension and volume, well-defined active sites, high surface area, and hybrid structures. The multifunctionality and unique chemical and biological characteristics of MOFs allow them as ideal platforms for sensing numerous emergent biomolecules with real-time monitoring towards the point-of-care applications. This review objects to deliver key insights on the topical developments of MOFs for biomedical applications. The rational design, preparation of stable MOF architectures, chemical and biological properties, biocompatibility, enzyme-mimicking materials, fabrication of biosensor platforms, and the exploration in diagnostic and therapeutic systems are compiled. The state-of-the-art, major challenges, and the imminent perspectives to improve the progressions convoluted outside the proof-of-concept, especially for biosensor platforms, imaging, and photodynamic therapy in biomedical research are also described. The present review may excite the interdisciplinary studies at the juncture of MOFs and biomedicine.

N, N'-bidentate ligand anchored palladium catalysts on MOFs for efficient Heck reaction

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), recognized as advanced catalyst carriers due to their adjustable porous, diverse structure and highly exposed active sites, have earned increasing attention for their potential to address the longevity of catalytic centers. In this manuscript, we have devised and synthesized a multifunctional amino-pyridine benzoic acid (APBA) ligand to replace the modulator ligand of the MOF-808 and disperse the palladium catalytic centers atomically on the MOF-APBA. The resulting single-site catalytic system, Pd@MOF-APBA, demonstrates preeminent efficiency and stability, as evidenced by a high average turnover number (95000) and a low metal residue (4.8 ppm) in the Heck reaction. This catalyst has exhibited recyclability for multiple runs without significant loss of reactivity for gram-scale reactions. The catalyst's high activity and efficiency can be attributed to the suitable electrical properties and structures of the N, N'-bidentate ligand for the catalytic palladium ions, postponing their deactivations, including leaching and agglomeration.

Near-Infrared Light-Driven Photocatalysis with an Emphasis on Two-Photon Excitation: Concepts, Materials, and Applications

Efficient utilization of sunlight in photocatalysis is widely recognized as a promising solution for addressing the growing energy demand and environmental issues resulting from fossil fuel consumption. Recently, there have been significant developments in various near-infrared (NIR) light-harvesting systems for artificial photosynthesis and photocatalytic environmental remediation. This review provides an overview of the most recent advancements in the utilization of NIR light through the creation of novel nanostructured materials and molecular photosensitizers, as well as modulating strategies to enhance the photocatalytic processes. A special focus is given to the emerging two-photon excitation NIR photocatalysis. The unique features and limitations of different systems are critically evaluated. In particular, it highlights the advantages of utilizing NIR light and two-photon excitation compared to UV-visible irradiation and one-photon excitation. Ongoing challenges and potential solutions for the future exploration of NIR light-responsive materials are also discussed.

Trajectory in biological metal-organic frameworks: Biosensing and sustainable strategies-perspectives and challenges

The ligand attribute of biomolecules to form coordination bonds with metal ions led to the discovery of a novel class of materials called biomolecule-associated metal-organic frameworks (Bio-MOFs). These biomolecules coordinate in multiple ways and provide versatile applications. Far-spread bio-ligands include nucleobases, amino acids, peptides, cyclodextrins, saccharides, porphyrins/metalloporphyrin, proteins, etc. Low-toxicity, self-assembly, stability, designable and selectable porous size, the existence of rigid and flexible forms, bio-compatibility, and synergistic interactions between metal ions have led Bio-MOFs to be commercialized in industries such as sensors, food, pharma, and eco-sensing. The rapid growth and commercialization are stunted by absolute bio-compatibility issues, bulk morphology that makes it rigid to alter shape/porosity, longer reaction times, and inadequate research. This review elucidates the structural vitality, biocompatibility issues, and vital sensing applications, including challenges for incorporating bio-ligands into MOF. Critical innovations in Bio-MOFs' applicative spectrum, including sustainable food packaging, biosensing, insulin and phosphoprotein detection, gas sensing, CO2 capture, pesticide carriers, toxicant adsorptions, etc., have been elucidated. Emphasis is placed on biosensing and biomedical applications with biomimetic catalysis and sensitive sensor designing.

Cobalt Species-Loaded MOFs as Chemiluminescent Catalysts for Monitoring Carbendazim

The application of active metal-based nanoscale catalysts as signal enhancers for chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) is restricted by poor thermodynamic stability and ease of aggregation. For the present exploration, zirconium-based MOFs UiO-66-NH2 were adopted as supports to load cobalt species by an impregnation-reduction approach. Cobalt species were uniformly distributed in the framework architecture of the MOF materials. The prepared cobalt-loaded MOF hybrids, noted as UiO-66-NH2/Co, display superior chemiluminescence (CL) catalytic activity owing to the introduction of cobalt catalytic centers. The CL catalytic capability of UiO-66-NH2/Co hybrids is about 18 times of that of free cobalt ions at the same cobalt amount. The results of mechanism exploration manifest that the hybrids are capable of accelerating the decay of hydrogen peroxide and promoting the yield of reactive oxygen species. Based on their remarkable CL catalytic capability, a CLIA approach was proposed to monitor carbendazim by adopting the hybrids as signal probes, which showed the merits of high sensitivity and satisfactory selectivity. Carbendazim was quantitated within a concentration range of 0.05 to 60 ng mL-1, with a detection limit of 19.8 pg mL-1. The results for monitoring spiked samples verify the acceptable practicality of the proposed CLIA approach.

Defect-Mediated Synergistic Effect of POM/UiO-66(Zr) Host-Guest Catalysts for Robust Deep Desulfurization at Ambient Temperature

Stable platforms of host-guest catalysts are indispensable in the field of heterogeneous catalysis, however, clarifying the specific effect of host remains challenging. Herein, polyoxometalate (POM) is encapsulated in three types of UiO-66(Zr) with different controlled densities of defects by the aperture opening and closing strategy at ambient-temperature. It is found that catalytic activity of POM for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) at room temperature is turned on when encapsulated in the defective UiO-66(Zr), and the sulfur oxidation efficiency shows an obvious increasing trend (from 0.34 to 10.43 mmol g-1 h-1 ) with the increased concentration of defects in UiO-66(Zr) host. The as-prepared catalyst with the most defective host displays ultrahigh performance which removed 1000 ppm sulfur with exceptionally diluted oxidant at room-temperature within 25 min. The turnover frequency can reach 620.0 h-1 at 30 °C, which surpassed all the reported MOFs based ODS catalysts. A substantial guest/host synergistic effect mediated by the defective sites in UiO-66(Zr) is responsible for the enhancement. Density functional theory calculations reveal that OH/OH2 capped on the open Zr sites of host UiO-66(Zr) can decompose H2 O2 to OOH group and enables the formation of WVI -peroxo intermediates that determine the ODS activity.

Bioinspired Framework Catalysts: From Enzyme Immobilization to Biomimetic Catalysis

Enzymatic catalysis has fueled considerable interest from chemists due to its high efficiency and selectivity. However, the structural complexity and vulnerability hamper the application potentials of enzymes. Driven by the practical demand for chemical conversion, there is a long-sought quest for bioinspired catalysts reproducing and even surpassing the functions of natural enzymes. As nanoporous materials with high surface areas and crystallinity, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent an exquisite case of how natural enzymes and their active sites are integrated into porous solids, affording bioinspired heterogeneous catalysts with superior stability and customizable structures. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the advances of bioinspired MOFs for catalysis, discuss the design principle of various MOF-based catalysts, such as MOF-enzyme composites and MOFs embedded with active sites, and explore the utility of these catalysts in different reactions. The advantages of MOFs as enzyme mimetics are also highlighted, including confinement, templating effects, and functionality, in comparison with homogeneous supramolecular catalysts. A perspective is provided to discuss potential solutions addressing current challenges in MOF catalysis.

Free-Standing Metal-Organic Framework Membranes Made by Solvent-Free Space-Confined Conversion for Efficient H2/CO2 Separation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates for the advanced membrane materials based on their diverse structures, modifiable pore environment, precise pore sizes, etc. Nevertheless, the use of supports and large amounts of solvents in traditional solvothermal synthesis of MOF membranes is considered inefficient, costly, and environmentally problematic, coupled with challenges in their scalable manufacturing. In this work, we report a solvent-free space-confined conversion (SFSC) approach for the fabrication of a series of free-standing MOF (ZIF-8, Zn(EtIm)₂, and Zn₂(BIm)₄) membranes. This approach excludes the employment of solvents and supports that require tedious pretreatment and, thus, makes the process more environment-friendly and highly efficient. The free-standing membranes feature a robust and unique architecture, which comprise dense surface layers and highly porous interlayer with large amounts of irregular-shaped micron-scale pore cavities, inducing satisfactory H₂/CO₂ selectivities and exceptional H₂ permeances. The ZIF-8 membrane affords a considerable H₂ permeance of 2653.7 GPU with a competitive H₂/CO₂ selectivity of 17.1, and the Zn(EtIm)₂ membrane exhibits a high H₂/CO₂ selectivity of 22.1 with an excellent H₂ permeance (6268.7 GPU). The SFSC approach potentially provides a new pathway for preparing free-standing MOF membranes under solvent-free conditions, rendering it feasible for scale-up production of membrane materials for gas separation.

Nanosized metal-organic frameworks as unique platforms for bioapplications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are extremely versatile materials, which serve to create platforms with exceptional porosity and specific reactivities. The production of MOFs at the nanoscale (NMOFs) offers the possibility of creating innovative materials for bioapplications as long as they maintain the properties of their larger counterparts. Due to their inherent chemical versatility, synthetic methods to produce them at the nanoscale can be combined with inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) to create nanocomposites (NCs) with one-of-a-kind features. These systems can be remotely controlled and can catalyze abiotic reactions in living cells, which have the potential to stimulate further research on these nanocomposites as tools for advanced therapies.

Confinement Effects in Well-Defined Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Selective CO2 Hydrogenation: A Review

Decarbonization has become an urgent affair to restrain global warming. CO₂ hydrogenation coupled with H₂ derived from water electrolysis is considered a promising route to mitigate the negative impact of carbon emission and also promote the application of hydrogen. It is of great significance to develop catalysts with excellent performance and large-scale implementation. In the past decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely involved in the rational design of catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation due to their high surface areas, tunable porosities, well-ordered pore structures, and diversities in metals and functional groups. Confinement effects in MOFs or MOF-derived materials have been reported to promote the stability of CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts, such as molecular complexes of immobilization effect, active sites in size effect, stabilization in the encapsulation effect, and electron transfer and interfacial catalysis in the synergistic effect. This review attempts to summarize the progress of MOF-based CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts up to now, and demonstrate the synthetic strategies, unique features, and enhancement mechanisms compared with traditionally supported catalysts. Great emphasis will be placed on various confinement effects in CO₂ hydrogenation. The challenges and opportunities in precise design, synthesis, and applications of MOF-confined catalysis for CO₂ hydrogenation are also summarized.

Metal Organic Framework Glasses: a New Platform for Electrocatalysis?

Metal organic framework (MOF) glasses are a coordination network of metal nodes and organic ligands as an undercooled frozen-in liquid, and have therefore broadened the potential of MOF materials in the fundamental research and application scenarios. On the road to deploying MOF glasses as electrocatalysts, it remains several basic scientific hurdles although MOF glasses not only inherit the structural merits of MOFs but also endow with active catalytic features including concentrated defects, metal centers and disorder structure etc. The research on the ionic conductivity, catalytic stability and reactivity of MOF glasses has yielded scientific insights towards its electrocatalytic applications. Here, we first comb the history, definition and basic properties of MOF glasses. Then, we identify the main synthetic methods and characterization techniques. Finally, we advance the potentials and challenges of MOF glasses as electrocatalysts in furthering the understanding of these themes.

Ionic metal-organic frameworks (iMOFs): progress and prospects as ionic functional materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been a research hotspot for the last two decades, witnessing an extraordinary upsurge across various domains in materials chemistry. Ionic MOFs (both anionic and cationic MOFs) have emerged as next-generation ionic functional materials and are an important subclass of MOFs owing to their ability to generate strong electrostatic interactions between their charged framework and guest molecules. Furthermore, the presence of extra-framework counter-ions in their confined nanospaces can serve as additional functionality in these materials, which endows them a significant advantage in specific host-guest interactions and ion-exchange-based applications. In the present review, we summarize the progress and future prospects of iMOFs both in terms of fundamental developments and potential applications. Furthermore, the design principles of ionic MOFs and their state-of-the-art ion exchange performances are discussed in detail and the future perspectives of these promising ionic materials are proposed.

Metal-Organic Framework with Near-Infrared Luminescence for "Switch-on" Determination of Kaempferol and Quercetin by the Antenna Effect

The establishment of a reliable and sensitive method for the detection of flavonoids, such as kaempferol (Kae) and quercetin (Que), is important and challenging in food chemistry and pharmacology because numerous structural analogues may interfere with the detection. Until now, designing an efficient switch-on fluorescence sensing strategy for Kae and Que was still in the unachievable stage. In this work, a switch-on near-infrared (NIR) luminescence sensing assay for Kae and Que was fabricated based on a metal-organic framework (MOF) called IQBA-Yb for the first time. The fluorescence enhancing mechanism was that analytes served as additional "antenna" of Yb³⁺, leading to the efficient switch-on NIR emission under excitation at 467 nm. Meanwhile, the combination results of experiment and theoretical calculation revealed that there existed hydrogen bonds between Kae, Que, and the MOF skeleton, further promoting the energy transfer between the analyte and Yb³⁺ and facilitating fluorescence enhancement response. The developed probe possessed excellent sensing capability for Kae and Que, accompanied by a wide linear range (0.04-70, 0.06-90 μM), low detection limit (0.01, 0.06 μM), and short response time (20 min, 6 min), which was used to determine the Kae and Que contents in Green Lake and eatable Que samples with satisfactory results.

A turn-on NIR fluorescence sensor for gossypol based on Yb-based metal-organic framework

The development of analytical method for selective and sensitive detection of gossypol (Gsp), an extraction from the cotton plants, is important but still challenging in food safety and medical field. Herein, we reported a turn-on near infrared (NIR) fluorescence detection strategy for Gsp based on a metal-organic framework (MOF), QBA-Yb, which was prepared from 4,4'-(quinolone-5, 8-diyl) benzoate with Yb(NO₃)₃·5H₂O by solvothermal synthesis. The Gsp acted as another "antenna" to sensitize the luminescence of Yb³⁺, leading to the turn-on NIR emission upon 467 nm excitation. As Gsp concentration increased, the NIR emission at 973 nm enhanced gradually, thus enabling highly sensitive Gsp detection in a turn-on way. The experiment and theoretical calculation results revealed the presence of strong hydrogen bonds between Gsp molecules and the MOF skeleton. The developed QBA-Yb probe showed excellent characteristics for detection of Gsp molecules, accompanied by wide linear range (5-160 μg/mL), low detection limit (0.65 μg/mL) and short response time (within 10 min). We have further demonstrated that the QBA-Yb probe was successfully applied for the determination of Gsp in real samples of cottonseeds.

Surface-Seal Encapsulation of a Homogeneous Catalyst in a Mesoporous Metal-Organic Framework

A rapid surface sealing strategy has been developed for the encapsulation of a homogeneous catalyst, phosphotungstic acid (PTA), in a mesoporous metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-101(Cr). This new surface polymerization method utilizes non-solvent-induced phase separation to concentrate and direct polyamine and dianhydride monomers onto MOF particle surfaces, thus realizing the formation of a sub-10 nm, uniform, and cross-linked polymer coating within a few seconds. While fully preserving the catalytic activity of the neat PTA for the catalytic decomposition of phenol, the surface-sealed PTA-MOF composite catalyst can be reused up to 10 times with no noticeable loss of activity and negligible leaching of PTA. Since this surface coating method is not limited by either the MOF or the catalyst, it will become the technique of choice for the immobilization of homogeneous catalysts in MOFs.

MOF-stabilized perfluorinated palladium cages catalyze the additive-free aerobic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols to acids

Extremely high electrophilic metal complexes, composed by a metal cation and very electron poor σ-donor ancillary ligands, are expected to be privileged catalysts for oxidation reactions in organic chemistry. However, their low lifetime prevents any use in catalysis. Here we show the synthesis of fluorinated pyridine-Pd 2+ coordinate cages within the channels of an anionic tridimensional metal organic framework (MOF), and their use as efficient metal catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols to carboxylic acids without any additive. Mechanistic studies strongly support that the MOF-stabilized coordination cage with perfluorinated ligands unleashes the full electrophilic potential of Pd 2+ to dehydrogenate primary alcohols, without any base, and also to activate O 2 for the radical oxidation to the aldehyde intermediate. This study opens the door to design catalytic perfluorinated complexes for challenging organic transformations, where an extremely high electrophilic metal site is required.

Cucurbituril-Encapsulating Metal-Organic Framework via Mechanochemistry: Adsorbents with Enhanced Performance

The first examples of monolithic crystalline host-guest hybrid materials are described. The reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3 BTC) and Fe(NO3 )3 ⋅9 H2 O in the presence of decamethylcucurbit[5]uril ammonium chloride (MC5⋅2 NH4 Cl⋅4 H2 O) directly affords MC5@MIL-100(Fe) hybrid monoliths featuring hierarchical micro-, meso- and macropores. Particularly, this "bottle-around-ship" synthesis and one-pot shaping are facilitated by a newly discovered Fe-MC5 flowing gel formed by mechanochemistry. The designed MC5@MIL-100(Fe) hybrid material with MC5 as active domains shows enhanced CH4 and lead(II) uptake performance, and selective capture of lead(II) cations at low concentrations. This shows that host-guest hybrid materials can exhibit synergic properties that out-perform materials based on individual components.

Multi-emission metal-organic framework composites for multicomponent ratiometric fluorescence sensing: recent developments and future challenges

Ratiometric fluorescence sensors that are achieved via the ratiometric fluorescence intensity changes of emission peaks based on multi-emission fluorescence probes show a huge advantage. However, the preparation of these multi-emission fluorescence probes is a key challenge, as it is related to having more fluorescence groups with the same excitation but different emission wavelengths, and their assembly is not a simple mixing process. More fluorescent groups or molecules can be assembled into the multi-emission fluorescence probe by covalent bonds and coordination interactions, or by loading in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are excellent candidates for constructing complexes with the capability of multicomponent ratiometric fluorescence sensing, but there are some problems that need to be considered. For example, not all fluorophores can be stably loaded in the MOFs' pores, usually due to the size, surface charge and intrinsic properties of the fluorophore. In turn, it is also related to the structure of the MOF, metal nodes, and properties of the organic ligands. This review first introduces the advantages of the MOF-based multi-component fluorescence sensors, and then discusses the synthesis, classification and application of fluorescent MOFs or MOF composites for multi-component ratiometric fluorescence detection. Particular emphasis is focused on the potential, types and characteristics for sensing and biological applications, and the main challenges and limitations are further explored. This review might be helpful for those researchers interested in the application of multi-component ratiometric fluorescence sensing based on fluorescent MOFs or MOF composites.

Incorporation of homogeneous organometallic catalysts into metal–organic frameworks for advanced heterogenization: a review

The heterogenization of homogeneous organometallic catalysts by incorporation into MOFs using different strategies, MOF selection, OMC selection, and the use of hybrid heterogeneous catalysts OMC@MOFs in catalytic applications are summarized and discussed.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Catalysts with Single Metal Sites

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of distinctive porous crystalline materials constructed by metal ions/clusters and organic linkers. Owing to their structural diversity, functional adjustability, and high surface area, different types of MOF-based single metal sites are well exploited, including coordinately unsaturated metal sites from metal nodes and metallolinkers, as well as active metal species immobilized to MOFs. Furthermore, controllable thermal transformation of MOFs can upgrade them to nanomaterials functionalized with active single-atom catalysts (SACs). These unique features of MOFs and their derivatives enable them to serve as a highly versatile platform for catalysis, which has actually been becoming a rapidly developing interdisciplinary research area. In this review, we overview the recent developments of catalysis at single metal sites in MOF-based materials with emphasis on their structures and applications for thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis. We also compare the results and summarize the major insights gained from the works in this review, providing the challenges and prospects in this emerging field.

Isolating reactive metal-based species in Metal-Organic Frameworks - viable strategies and opportunities

Structural insight into reactive species can be achieved via strategies such as matrix isolation in frozen glasses, whereby species are kinetically trapped, or by confinement within the cavities of host molecules. More recently, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have been used as molecular scaffolds to isolate reactive metal-based species within their ordered pore networks. These studies have uncovered new reactivity, allowed observation of novel metal-based complexes and clusters, and elucidated the nature of metal-centred reactions responsible for catalysis. This perspective considers strategies by which metal species can be introduced into MOFs and highlights some of the advantages and limitations of each approach. Furthermore, the growing body of work whereby reactive species can be isolated and structurally characterised within a MOF matrix will be reviewed, including discussion of salient examples and the provision of useful guidelines for the design of new systems. Novel approaches that facilitate detailed structural analysis of reactive chemical moieties are of considerable interest as the knowledge garnered underpins our understanding of reactivity and thus guides the synthesis of materials with unprecedented functionality.

Discrimination of Various Amine Vapors by a Triemissive Metal-Organic Framework Composite via the Combination of a Three-Dimensional Ratiometric Approach and a Confinement-Induced Enhancement Effect

Multiemissive sensors are being actively pursued, because of their ratiometric luminescent detection capabilities, which demonstrates better sensitivity and selectivity than conventional single-emission sensors. Herein, we present a trichromatic white-light-emitting metal-organic framework (MOF) composite (Z3) by simultaneously incorporating red/green-emitting Pt/Ru complex cations into porous blue-emitting bio-MOF-1 through post-synthetic modification. With the help of a three-dimensional (3-D) dual-ratiometric luminescence recognition method, and unique turn-on responses of the red emission toward amine compounds (ACs), including NH₃ and aliphatic amines, via confinement-induced luminescence enhancement effect, Z3 can work as a dual-ratiometric luminescent sensor for discrimination of 7 out of 11 AC vapors. This work not only provides a new AC sensing mechanism (confinement effect) that can induce a "turn-on" response but also proves that the accuracy and selectivity of composite sensor can be greatly improved through the combination of 3-D recognition method and the confinement effect. Thus, it open up fresh opportunities to develop composite sensors with excellent sensing and differentiating ability.

Encapsulating soluble active species into hollow crystalline porous capsules beyond integration of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis

Homogeneous molecular catalysts and heterogeneous catalysts possess complementary strengths, and are of great importance in laboratory/commercial procedures. While various porous hosts, such as polymers, carbons, silica, metal oxides and zeolites, have been used in an attempt to heterogenize homogeneous catalysts, realizing the integration of both functions at the expense of discounting their respective advantages, it remains a significant challenge to truly combine their intrinsic strengths in a single catalyst without compromise. Here, we describe a general template-assisted approach to incorporating soluble molecular catalysts into the hollow porous capsule, which prevents their leaching due to the absence of large intergranular space. In the resultant yolk (soluble)-shell (crystalline) capsules, the soluble yolks can perform their intrinsic activity in a mimetic homogeneous environment, and the crystalline porous shells endow the former with selective permeability, substrate enrichment, size-selective and heterogeneous cascade catalysis, beyond the integration of the respective advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.

Metal organic frameworks decorated with free carboxylic acid groups: topology, metal capture and dye adsorption properties

In this report, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are designed and tuned for structural variations in order to induce metal capture which in turn directs dye adsorption properties. The three MOFs, Cu-MOF-2COOH, Ni-MOF-COOH and Cd-MOF, are synthesized by employing 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3-BTC) as the main ligand and 4,4'-dipyridyl (bipy) as the spacer. The MOFs have been characterized using various spectral techniques and single crystal X-Ray studies. A topological analysis using TOPOS Pro reveals that the MOFs possess varying topologies i.e.hcb, hxl, sql and 2C1. Cu-MOF-2COOH and Ni-MOF-COOH contain two and three uncoordinated carboxylic acid groups, respectively, and in Cd-MOF, all three -COOH groups are utilized in bonding. The dye adsorption properties of the MOFs with free carboxylate group(s) were checked and we found that both MOFs are unable to adsorb any of the dyes significantly. The free carboxylate group(s) in the MOFs inspire us to elaborate their metal capturing properties. In different solvents we checked the metal capturing properties of Cu-MOF-2COOH and Ni-MOF-COOH with different metal salts. Surprisingly, both MOFs show better metal capturing properties towards the hard and highly polarizing Fe3+ ion in aqueous medium. Theoretical studies show that the free carboxylate(s) are involved in binding with metals. The post synthetically modified materials (Fe@Cu-MOF-2COOH and Fe@Ni-MOF-COOH) were further checked for their dye adsorption properties and both the doped MOFs show better adsorption properties towards the MB and MO. Furthermore, three kinetic models were employed to understand the reaction mechanism of adsorption and the pseudo second order kinetic model fits the best in both cases. The uncoordinated carboxylate groups in the channels act as post synthetic modification sites for metal capture and the post synthetically modified material thus formed attracts organic dyes following the HSAB concept. The strong interaction existing between the hard Fe3+ ion and hard donors of the dyes is responsible for the enhanced adsorption.

Fighting Deactivation: Classical and Emerging Strategies for Efficient Stabilization of Molecular Electrocatalysts

Development of highly active molecular electrocatalysts for fuel-forming reactions has relied heavily on understanding mechanistic aspects of the electrochemical transformations. Careful fine-tuning of the ligand environment oriented mechanistic pathways towards higher activity and optimal product distribution for several catalysts. Unfortunately, many catalysts deactivate in bulk electrolysis conditions, diminishing the impact of the plethora of highly tuned molecular electrocatalytic systems. This Minireview covers classical and emerging methods developed to circumvent catalyst deactivation and degradation, with an emphasis on successes with molecular electrocatalysts.

In situ synthesis and encapsulation of copper phthalocyanine into MIL-101(Cr) and MIL-100(Fe) pores and investigation of their catalytic performance in the epoxidation of styrene

In this work, copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) was encapsulated into mesocages of MIL-101(Cr) and MIL-100(Fe) by assembling CuPc’s constitutional fractions using a deep eutectic solvent. The prepared materials, CuPc@MIL-101(Cr) and CuPc@MIL-100(Fe), were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR, UV-vis and diffuse reflectance UV (DR-UV) spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ICP-OES spectrometry. The prepared materials were used as heterogeneous catalysts for catalytic epoxidation of styrene with molecular oxygen and also tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidants in acetonitrile as a solvent. The impact of MOFs and the role of the CuPc complex as the active species in the MOFs’ cages in the epoxidation of styrene were investigated. Among the prepared catalysts, CuPc@MIL-101(Cr) showed the best performance. The heterogeneity of the catalysts was examined by a hot filtration test and ICP-OES of the filtrates after the reaction. Spent catalysts were analyzed by PXRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, and TEM for reusability investigation and also to further explore the heterogeneous nature of the hybrid materials. Results showed that the prepared catalysts could be recycled and used for several concoctive times without a considerable drop in activity.

Self-Assembly of Catalytically Active Supramolecular Coordination Compounds within Metal-Organic Frameworks

Supramolecular coordination compounds (SCCs) represent the power of coordination chemistry methodologies to self-assemble discrete architectures with targeted properties. SCCs are generally synthesized in solution, with isolated fully coordinated metal atoms as structural nodes, thus severely limited as metal-based catalysts. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show unique features to act as chemical nanoreactors for the in situ synthesis and stabilization of otherwise not accessible functional species. Here, we present the self-assembly of Pd^II SCCs within the confined space of a pre-formed MOF (SCCs@MOF) and its post-assembly metalation to give a Pd^II-Au^III supramolecular assembly, crystallography underpinned. These SCCs@MOFs catalyze the coupling of boronic acids and/or alkynes, representative multi-site metal-catalyzed reactions in which traditional SCCs tend to decompose, and retain their structural integrity as a consequence of the synergetic hybridization between SCCs and MOFs. These results open new avenues in both the synthesis of novel SCCs and their use in heterogeneous metal-based supramolecular catalysis.

Coordinative Reduction of Metal Nodes Enhances the Hydrolytic Stability of a Paddlewheel Metal-Organic Framework

Enhancement of hydrolytic stability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a challenging issue in MOF chemistry because most MOFs have shown limitations in their applications under a humid environment. Meanwhile, inner sphere electron transfer has constituted one of the most intensively studied subjects in contemporary chemistry. In this report, we show, for the first time, a new conceptual coordinative reduction of Cu²⁺ ion, which is realized in a paddlewheel MOF, HKUST-1, with a postsynthetic manner via inner sphere "single" electron transfer from hydroquinone (H₂Q) to Cu²⁺ through its coordination bond. H₂Q treatment of HKUST-1 under anhydrous conditions leads to the single charge (1+) reduction of approximately 30% of Cu²⁺ ions. Thus, this coordinative reduction is an excellent reduction process to be self-controlled in both oxidation state and quantity. As described below, once Cu²⁺ ions are reduced to Cu⁺, the reduction reaction does not proceed further, in terms of their oxidation state as well as their amount. Also, we demonstrate that a half of the Cu⁺ ions (about 15%) remains in paddlewheel framework with pseudo square planar geometry and the other half of the Cu⁺ ions (about 15%) forms [Cu(MeCN)₄]⁺ complex in a small cage in the fashion of a ship-in-a-bottle after dissociation from the framework. Furthermore, we show that the coordinative reduction results in substantial enhancement of the hydrolytic stability of HKUST-1 to the extent that its structure remains intact even after exposure to humid air for two years.

A series of flexible bis(pyridyl)bis(tetrazole)-modulated coordination polymers: construction, electrochemical properties, dye adsorption and magnetic properties

Four new coordination polymers based on three bis(pyridyl)bis(tetrazole) ligands and 4,4′,4′′-benzene-1,3,5-triyltribenzoic acid were synthesized showing electrocatalytic, dye adsorption and antiferromagnetism properties.