Discovery of two predictable (3,18)-connected topologies based on Wells-Dawson type cages for the design of porous metal phosphonocarboxylate frameworks

Highly connected molecular building blocks (MBBs) have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in reticular chemistry, particularly in predicting the topologies of metal-organic frameworks. Metal phosphonate clusters exhibit considerable advantages in constructing high-connectivity MBBs, owing to the multiple coordination modes offered by phosphonic ligands. Herein, four metal (M = CoII, MnII) phosphonocarboxylate frameworks (CoPCF-1,2 and MnPCF-1,2) were successfully prepared under solvothermal conditions by utilizing the phosphonocarboxylic ligand, 4'-phosphonobiphenyl-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (H4pbpdc), and their structural characterization was performed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). The structures feature a duodenary nuclear M12(µ3-OH)2(CO2)12(PO3)6(DMF)6/(CH3COO)4.5 cluster, bearing resemblance to the well-known Wells-Dawson ion from polyoxometallate chemistry. It is the first time a Wells-Dawson type cage has served as an 18-connected molecular building block, forming two kinds of porous metal phosphonocarboxylate frameworks with novel (3,18)-connected gez and gea topologies. Their permanent porosities were confirmed through N2 adsorption studies. Notably, the MBB Co12 cluster-based CoPCF-1 shows a loss and recovery process of µ3-OH through single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformation. The magnetic properties of the four compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic behavior.

Synthesis of 3D Cadmium(II)-Carboxylate Framework Having Potential for Co-Catalyst Free CO2 Fixation to Cyclic Carbonates

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous coordination polymers with interesting structural frameworks, properties, and a wide range of applications. A novel 3D cadmium(II)-carboxylate framework, CdMOF ([Cd2(L)(DMF)(H2O)2]n), was synthesized by the solvothermal method using a tetracarboxylic bridging linker having amide functional moieties. The CdMOF crystal structure exists in the form of a 3D layer structure. Based on the single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, the supramolecular assembly of CdMOF is explored by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The voids and cavities analysis is performed to check the strength of the crystal packing in CdMOF. The CdMOF followed a multistage thermal degradation pattern in which the solvent molecules escaped around 200 °C and the structural framework remained stable till 230 °C. The main structural framework collapsed (>60 wt.%) into organic volatiles between 400–550 °C. The SEM morphology analyses revealed uniform wedge-shaped rectangular blocks with dimensions of 25–100 μm. The catalytic activity of CdMOF for the solvent and cocatalyst-free cycloaddition of CO2 into epichlorohydrin was successful with 100% selectivity. The current results revealed that this 3D CdMOF is more active than the previously reported CdMOFs and, more interestingly, without using a co-catalyst. The catalyst was easily recovered and reused, having the same performance.

Designing Sites in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Are We Reaching Selectivities Competitive With Those of Homogeneous Catalysts?

A critical review of different prominent nanotechnologies adapted to catalysis is provided, with focus on how they contribute to the improvement of selectivity in heterogeneous catalysis. Ways to modify catalytic sites range from the use of the reversible or irreversible adsorption of molecular modifiers to the immobilization or tethering of homogeneous catalysts and the development of well-defined catalytic sites on solid surfaces. The latter covers methods for the dispersion of single-atom sites within solid supports as well as the use of complex nanostructures, and it includes the post-modification of materials via processes such as silylation and atomic layer deposition. All these methodologies exhibit both advantages and limitations, but all offer new avenues for the design of catalysts for specific applications. Because of the high cost of most nanotechnologies and the fact that the resulting materials may exhibit limited thermal or chemical stability, they may be best aimed at improving the selective synthesis of high value-added chemicals, to be incorporated in organic synthesis schemes, but other applications are being explored as well to address problems in energy production, for instance, and to design greener chemical processes. The details of each of these approaches are discussed, and representative examples are provided. We conclude with some general remarks on the future of this field.

A two-fold interpenetrated zinc–organic framework: luminescence detection of CrO42−/Cr2O72− and chemical conversion of CO2

A novel two-fold interpenetrated 3D framework can adsorb CO₂ and serve as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the conversion of CO₂ with epoxides. Furthermore, it can also act as a sensitive and recyclable luminescent probe to detect CrO₄²⁻/Cr₂O₇²⁻ among many anions in aqueous solution.

Cluster-based MOFs with accelerated chemical conversion of CO2 through C–C bond formation

We report here two cluster-based MOFs I and II as excellent heterogeneous catalysts in the carboxylation reactions of CO₂ and terminal alkynes under 1 atm and mild conditions. This is the first time for MOFs materials to catalyze this type of reactions.

Three Zinc(II) Phosphonates: Syntheses, Structures and Sensing of Copper(II) Ions

Three zinc(II) phosphonocarboxylates, [Zn₃ (m-bpc)₂ (OH)]⋅(CH₃ )₂ NH₂ ⋅H₂ O (1), [Zn₂ (m-bpc)(m-Hbpc)(4,4'-bpy)]⋅(CH₃ )₂ NH₂ ⋅H₂ O (2) and [Zn₃ (m-bpc)₂ (4,4'-bpy)(CH₃ )₂ NH]⋅H₂ O (3) (m-H₃ bpc=3-phosphonobenzoic acid, 4,4'-bpy=4,4'-bipyridine), have been solvothermally synthesised to generate unique topologies, as characterised by single-crystal XRD. Compound 1 possesses a diamond topology, which has rarely been found among phosphonate-based metal-organic frameworks. Compound 2 shows a 2D layered structure with pendant m-Hbpc and 4, 4'-bpy ligands, in which the layers feature as a zeolite-like network. Compound 3 has a 3D sandwich pillared-layer framework with an interesting double-helix structure. Only 1 shows an adsorption capacity for CO₂ of 28.5 cm³  g^-1 at 273 K. Luminescence studies revealed that both 1 and 2 could be potential sensors to copper(II) ions.

Solvent-mediated supramolecular templated assembly of a metal organophosphonate via a crystal–amorphous–crystal transformation

Three monophosphonoester-based supramolecular assemblies were synthesized and fully characterized. These complexes showed a reversible crystal–amorphous–crystal transformation with changes in their emission properties.

Zeolitic imidazole framework-67 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of CO2 to cyclic carbonates

ZIF-67 acts as a very efficient catalyst for the cycloaddition of CO₂ to epoxides affording cyclic carbonates with high selectivity, without any need for a solvent or a co-catalyst.

Photophysical and electrochemical properties of a dysprosium-zinc tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin complex

A dysprosium-zinc porphyrin, [DyZn(TPPS)H3O]n (1) (TPPS = tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin), was prepared through solvothermal reactions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complex 1 features a three-dimensional (3-D) porous open framework that is thermally stable up to 400 °C. Complex 1 displays a void space of 215 Å(3), occupying 9.2% of the unit cell volume. The fluorescence spectra reveal that it shows an emission band in the red region. The fluorescence lifetime is 39 µsec and the quantum yield is 1.7%. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement revealed one quasi-reversible wave with E1/2  = 0.30 V.

A highly stable indium phosphonocarboxylate framework as a multifunctional sensor for Cu2+ and methylviologen ions

An indium phosphonocarboxylate framework (InPCF-1) with a novel 3,4,5-connected topology was synthesized, which serves as a selective and sensitive sensor for Cu²⁺ and MV²⁺ ions.

An acylamide metal-organic framework with an unprecedented four-connecting trinodal topology and amide oxygen coordination

The three-dimensional Zn(II) coordination polymer poly[[bis(μ2-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato){μ4-N(1),N(3),N(5)-tris[(pyridin-3-yl)methyl]benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide}dizinc(II)] monohydrate], {[Zn2(C8H4O4)2(C27H24N6O3)]·H2O}n, is characterized by a rare (4,4,4)-connected (4.6(2).7(2).8)(4.6(2).7(3))(4(2).6(2).7(2)) topology. The tricarboxamide ligand adopts an unprecedented tetradentate coordination mode, with one carboxamide O atom participating in the coordination. The polymer was further characterized by thermogravimetric and solid-state luminescence analysis.

Biomimetic Aerobic C-H Olefination of Cyclic Enaminones at Room Temperature: Development toward the Synthesis of 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Benzenes

A green and mild protocol for the dehydrogenative olefination of cyclic enaminones was devised via palladium catalysis at room temperature using oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The synthetic utility of the olefinated cyclic enaminones afforded a series of unique 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes via an unanticipated Diels-Alder tandem reaction. The broad substrate scope and good yields achieved with this new protocol provide an alternative pathway for arene functionalization.

Exploring the coordination chemistry of bifunctional organoarsonate ligands: syntheses and characterisation of coordination polymers that contain 4-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)phenylarsonic acid

The syntheses, crystal structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of five triazol-phenylarsonic acid-based M(ii) coordination polymers are reported (M = Co, Cu, Mn, Cd).

Shape-controlled nanostructures in heterogeneous catalysis

Nanotechnologies have provided new methods for the preparation of nanomaterials with well-defined sizes and shapes, and many of those procedures have been recently implemented for applications in heterogeneous catalysis. The control of nanoparticle shape in particular offers the promise of a better definition of catalytic activity and selectivity through the optimization of the structure of the catalytic active site. This extension of new nanoparticle synthetic procedures to catalysis is in its early stages, but has shown some promising leads already. Here, we survey the major issues associated with this nanotechnology-catalysis synergy. First, we discuss new possibilities associated with distinguishing between the effects originating from nanoparticle size versus those originating from nanoparticle shape. Next, we survey the information available to date on the use of well-shaped metal and non-metal nanoparticles as active phases to control the surface atom ensembles that define the catalytic site in different catalytic applications. We follow with a brief review of the use of well-defined porous materials for the control of the shape of the space around that catalytic site. A specific example is provided to illustrate how new selective catalysts based on shape-defined nanoparticles can be designed from first principles by using fundamental mechanistic information on the reaction of interest obtained from surface-science experiments and quantum-mechanics calculations. Finally, we conclude with some thoughts on the state of the field in terms of the advances already made, the future potentials, and the possible limitations to be overcome.

A new layered metal-organic framework as a promising heterogeneous catalyst for olefin epoxidation reactions

A new layered MOF material [Co(Hoba)(2)·2H(2)O] (1) (H(2)oba = 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid)) has been synthesized and used as a highly recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for olefin epoxidation reactions. Both high conversion (96%) and high selectivity of epoxide products (96%) are achieved.