Record Complexity in the Polycatenation of Three Porous Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks with Stepwise Adsorption Behaviors

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) show great potential in many applications, but few structure-property correlations have been explored in this field. In this work, we report that self-assembly of a rigid and planar ligand gives rise to flat hexagonal honeycomb motifs which are extended into undulated two-dimensional (2D) layers and finally generate three polycatenated HOFs with record complexity. This kind of undulation is absent in the 2D layers built from a very similar but nonplanar ligand, indicating that a slight torsion of ligand produces overwhelming structural change. This change delivers materials with unique stepwise adsorption behaviors under a certain pressure originating from the movement between mutually interwoven hexagonal networks. Meanwhile, high chemical stability, phase transformation, and preferential adsorption of aromatic compounds were observed in these HOFs. The results presented in this work would help us to understand the self-assembly behaviors of HOFs and shed light on the rational design of HOF materials for practical applications.

Water-Ethanol and Methanol-Ethanol Separations Using in Situ Confined Polymer Chains in a Metal-Organic Framework

This study presents a straightforward approach for the in situ polymerization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) chains within the one-dimensional (1D) pores of the five-coordinated zinc-based metal-organic framework DMOF in order to obtain new MOF-based composites. The loading amount of PNIPAM within DMOF ⊃ PNIPAM composites can be tuned by changing the initial weight ratio between NIPAM, which is the monomer of PNIPAM, and DMOF. The guest PNIPAM chains in the composites block partially the 1D pores of DMOF, thus leading to a narrowed nanospace. The water adsorption studies reveal that the water uptake increased by increasing the loading of PNIPAM in the final DMOF ⊃ PNIPAM composites, indicating that the exposed amide groups of PNIPAM gradually alter the hydrophobicity of pristine DMOF and lead to hydrophilic DMOF ⊃ PNIPAM composites. The composite with the highest loading of PNIPAM displays a selective adsorption for water and methanol over ethanol when using equimolar mixtures of methanol-ethanol and water-ethanol. This is confirmed by the single-component adsorption measurements as well as ideal adsorbed solution theory molecular simulations. Additionally, the water stability of pristine DMOF has been greatly improved after the incorporation of PNIPAM in its pores. PNIPAM can undergo a phase transition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic phases in response to a low temperature change. This property is used in order to control the desorption of water and methanol molecules, thus enabling an efficient and cost-effective regeneration process.

Selective CO2 adsorption in water-stable alkaline-earth based metal–organic frameworks

Four novel metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) built from alkaline-earth metal ions and the flexible ligand tetrakis[4-(carboxyphenyl)oxamethyl]methane acid (H₄L) were synthesized. Among them, Ca-based MOFs have high stability under humidity conditions and show good CO₂ uptake.

Crystal structure of catena-poly[(μ2-1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)propane κ2 N:N′)-(μ2-5-methoxyisophthalato-κ2 O:O′)zinc(II)] hydrate, C26H24ZnN4O6

C26H24ZnN4O6, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.724(3) Å, b = 10.173(3) Å, c = 14.642(4) Å, α = 70.380(3)°, β = 85.642(4)°, γ = 63.925(3)°, V = 1221.2(6) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0411, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0981, T = 296 K.

Patterned growth of luminescent metal–organic framework films: a versatile electrochemically-assisted microwave deposition method

Electrochemically-assisted microwave deposition technology, a facile method for spatially locating the microcrystals of luminescent metal–organic framework (LMOF) films on a surface, was reported.

Synthesis, structures, and properties of seven transition metal coordination polymers based on a long semirigid dicarboxylic acid ligand

Seven coordination polymers based on a long dicarboxylic acid ligand present diverse structures. The photoluminescence and magnetic properties of some compounds were explored.

A metal–organic framework constructed using a flexible tripodal ligand and tetranuclear copper cluster for sensing small molecules

A porous MOF based on a tetranuclear copper cluster with intracluster antiferromagnetic interactions was synthesized, which reveals highly sensitive and selective sensing of small molecules.

Porous anionic indium-organic framework with enhanced gas and vapor adsorption and separation ability

A three-dimensional microporous anionic metal-organic framework (MOF) (Et4N)3[In3(TATB)4] (FJI-C1, H3TATB=4,4',4''-s-triazine-2,4,6-triyltribenzoic acid) with large unit cell volume has been synthesized. Assisted by the organic cation group Et4N in the pores of the compound, FJI-C1 not only shows high adsorption uptakes of C2 and C3 hydrocarbons, but also exhibits highly selective separation of propane, acetylene, ethane, and ethylene from methane at room temperature. Furthermore, it also exhibits high separation selectivity for propane over C2 hydrocarbons and acetylene can be readily separated from their C2 hydrocarbons mixtures at low pressure due to the high selectivity for C2H2 in comparison to C2H4 and C2H6. In addition, FJI-C1 with hydrophilic internal pores surfaces shows highly efficient adsorption separation of polar molecules from nonpolar molecules. Notably, it exhibits high separation selectivity for benzene over cyclohexane due to the π-π interactions between benzene molecules and s-triazine rings of the porous MOF.

Metal–organic frameworks based on flexible ligands (FL-MOFs): structures and applications

This review presents the recent developments on FL-MOFs, including their structures and applications in gas adsorption, catalysis and proton conduction.

A series of metal–organic frameworks containing diverse secondary building units derived from a flexible triazine-based tetracarboxylic ligand

Five new coordination polymers containing diverse SBUs derived from a flexible triazine-based tetracarboxylic acid have been solvothermally synthesized and characterized.

Syntheses, structures, and properties of a series of 2D and 3D coordination polymers based on trifunctional pyridinedicarboxylate and different (bis)imidazole bridging ligands

Hydrothermal reactions based on two trifunctional pyridinedicarboxylate carboxylates and transitional metal cations in the presence of three (bis)imidazole bridging ligands afford ten 2D and 3D coordination polymers.

Structural library of coordination polymers based on flexible linkers exploiting the role of linker coordination angle: synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic properties

The linker coordination angles observed in the crystal structures of a new series of coordination polymers of flexible linkers, are correlated with their dimensionality and topology.

In situ growth of metal-organic framework thin films with gas sensing and molecule storage properties

New porous metal-organic framework (MOF) films based on the flexible ligand 1,3,5-tris[4-(carboxyphenyl)oxamethyl]-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (H3TBTC) were fabricated on α-Al2O3 substrates under solvent thermal conditions. The factors affecting the fabrication of films, such as the temperature of pre-activation and the dosage of the reagents, were investigated. Tuning the subtle factors on film fabrications, a series of MOF thin films with different morphologies and grain sizes were prepared. The morphology and grain size of the films are monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) were also used to characterize the MOF films. The results indicate that the temperature of pre-activation and the dosage of the reagents are the key parameters during the process of film formation. The properties of the films, especially the sensing and sorption behavior, have been studied by an optical digital cameral and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra. The evidence shows that the films are sensitive to small organic molecules, such as methanol and pyridine. Meanwhile, the films can adsorb small dye molecules. Thus, the films may have potential applications in either organic vapor sensing or storage of small dye molecules.