Investigation of the Influence of Functionalization Strategy on Urea 2D MOF Catalytic Performance

Urea-functionalized MOFs with unique properties have recently been used as efficient platforms to conduct organocatalytic reactions. To gain more insight into the key factors which govern an efficient organocatalytic reaction in urea-MOFs, two different urea-containing 2D MOFs TMU-58 ([Zn(L1)(oba)].CH₃CN) and TMU-83 ([Zn(L2)(oba)].DMF), where L1 = (1E,5E)-1,5-bis(1-(pyridine-4-ylethylidene)carbonohydrazide, L2 = (1E,5E)-1,5-bis(1-(pyridine-4-ylmethylene)carbonohydrazide, and oba = 4,4'-oxybisbenzoic acid, with abundant accessible active sites, were selected and examined in the methanolysis of styrene oxide. TMU-58 with the ability to form a two-point H-bond with different substrates revealed a high organocatalytic efficiency in the regioselective ring opening of styrene oxide. The catalytic activation of epoxide oxygen by the urea N-H functional sites, followed by the nucleophilic attack of methanol at the benzylic carbon led to the formation of 2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol as the major product. DFT calculations were also performed to investigate the acidic strength of the urea hydrogens in both TMU-58 and TMU-83 structures as a major factor to conduct an efficient catalytic reaction. The results indicated the more acidic nature of the urea hydrogens in TMU-83; however, its catalytic efficiency was remarkably reduced due to the inappropriate orientation of the active interaction sites within the framework revealing the importance of proper orientation of the urea hydrogens in conducting an efficient organocatalytic reaction. The current study provides a comparative study on the function-property relationship in 2D MOF assemblies which has not been explored so far.

From 1D to 2D Cd(II) and Zn(II) Coordination Networks by Replacing Monocarboxylate with Dicarboxylates in Partnership with Azine Ligands: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Inclusion, and Emission Properties

Eight mixed-ligand coordination networks, [Cd(2-aba)(NO₃)(4-bphz)_3/2]_n·n(dmf) (1), [Cd(2-aba)₂(4-bphz)]_n·0.75n(dmf) (2), [Cd(seb)(4-bphz)]_n·n(H₂O) (3), [Cd(seb)(4-bpmhz)]_n·n(H₂O) (4), [Cd(hpa)(3-bphz)]_n (5), [Zn(1,3-bdc)(3-bpmhz)]_n·n(MeOH) (6), [Cd(1,3-bdc)(3-bpmhz)]_n ·0.5n(H₂O)·0.5n(EtOH) (7), and [Cd(NO₃)₂(3-bphz)(bpe)]_n·n(3-bphz) (8) were obtained by interplay of cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate or zinc nitrate hexahydrate with 2-aminobenzenecarboxylic acid (H(2-aba)), three dicarboxylic acids, sebacic (decanedioic acid, H₂seb), homophthalic (2-(carboxymethyl)benzoic acid, H₂hpa), isophthalic (1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂(1,3-bdc)) acids, bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) and with four azine ligands, 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazine (4-bphz), 1,2-bis(1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethylidene) hydrazine (4-bpmhz), 1,2-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethylene)hydrazine (3-bphz), and 1,2-bis(1-(pyridin-3-yl) ethylidene)hydrazine (3-bpmhz). Compounds 1 and 2 are 1D coordination polymers, while compounds 3–8 are 2D coordination polymers. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods of analysis. The solvent uptakes and stabilities to the guest evacuation were studied and compared for 1D and 2D coordination networks. The de-solvated forms revealed a significant increase of emission in comparison with the as-synthesized crystals.

Reversible photo/thermal solid-state transformation of a coordination polymer

A 2D coordination polymer, 1, was synthesized, characterized, and investigated with single-crystal-to-single-crystal photoreaction and thermal pyrolysis.

Template effect of innocent and coordinating anions on the formation of interpenetrated 2D and 3D networks: methyl orange and iodine sorption studies

A pyridyl based Schiff base resulted in a 2D staircase network (CP1) with Cd(ii) when ClO₄⁻ is the counter anion while the use of benzene-1,3-disulphonate counter anion resulted in a novel 3D Cd(ii) coordination polymer with threefold interpenetration (CP2).

Eight coordination compounds assembled from unexplored semi-rigid ether-based unsymmetrical tetracarboxylate and various dipyridyl ligands: structural variation, magnetic and photoluminescence properties

Eight new coordination compounds built by an unexplored semi-rigid ether-based unsymmetrical tetracarboxylate and varied dipyridyl ligands have been synthesized. Their variety of structures, photoluminescence and magnetic properties are discussed.

Construction of a 3D porous Co(ii) metal–organic framework (MOF) with Lewis acidic metal sites exhibiting selective CO2 capture and conversion under mild conditions

The application of a 3D Co(ii)-MOF as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for conversion of CO₂ to cyclic carbonates is reported.

Variation of topologies and entanglements in metal–organic frameworks with mixed tris[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]phosphine oxide and dicarboxylate ligands

Six metal–organic frameworks with variation of topologies and entanglements have been successfully synthesized with mixed tris[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]phosphine oxide and dicarboxylate ligands.

Construction of bifunctional 2-fold interpenetrated Zn(ii) MOFs exhibiting selective CO2 adsorption and aqueous-phase sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol

Design of Zn(ii) MOFs, [{Zn(BINDI)_0.5(bpa)_0.5(H₂O)}·4H₂O]_n (MOF1) and [{Zn(BINDI)_0.5(bpe)}·3H₂O]_n (MOF2) for selective CO₂ storage and aqueous-phase detection of TNP is demonstrated.

Syntheses, structural diversity, and photocatalytic-degradation properties for methylene blue of Co(ii) and Ni(ii) MOFs based on terephthalic acid and different imidazole bridging ligands

Six coordination polymers were constructed and characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.

Four Mixed-Ligand Zn(II) Three-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis, Structural Diversity, and Photoluminescent Property

Assemblies of four three-dimensional (3D) mixed-ligand coordination polymers (CPs) having formulas, {[Zn₂(bdc)₂(4-bpdh)]·C₂H₅OH·2H₂O}_n (1), [Zn(bdc)(4-bpdh)]_n (2), {[Zn₂(bdc)₂(4-bpdh)₂]·(4-bpdh)}_n (3), and {[Zn(bdc)(4-bpdh)]·C₂H₅OH}_n (4) (bdc²⁻ = dianion of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 4-bpdh = 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structural determination reveals that the coordination numbers (geometry) of Zn(II) ions in 1, 2, 3, and 4 are five (distorted square-pyramidal (SP)), six (distorted octahedral (O_h)), five (trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP)), and four (tetrahedral (T_d)), respectively, and are bridged by 4-bpdh with bis-monodentate coordination mode and bdc²⁻ ligands with bis-bidentate in 1, chelating/bidentate in 2, bis-monodentate and bis-bidentate in 3, and bis-monodentate in 4, to generate two-fold interpenetrating 3D cube-like metal-organic framework (MOF) with pcu topology, non-interpenetrating 3D MOF, two-fold interpenetrating 3D rectangular-box-like MOF with pcu topology and five-fold interpenetrating diamondoid-like MOF with dia topology, respectively. These different intriguing architectures indicate that the coordination numbers and geometries of Zn(II) ions, coordination modes of bdc²⁻ ligand, and guest molecules play important roles in the construction of MOFs and the formation of the structural topologies and interpenetrations. Thermal stabilities, and photoluminescence study of 1–4 were also studied in detail. The complexes exhibit ligands based photoluminescence properties at room temperature.

Construction of 3D homochiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(ii): selective CO2adsorption and catalytic properties for the Knoevenagel and Henry reaction

Syntheses of two new homochiral, 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(ii) and the selective CO₂adsorption and catalytic properties of1has been demonstrated.

Synthesis, structure and luminescence properties of two Cd(ii)/M(i) (M = K, Rb) interpenetrated heterometallic frameworks based on giant double-walled cages

Two isostructural 2-fold interpenetrated double-walled frameworks based on a rare heterometallic nested cage-within-cage motif were synthesized.

Visible-Light-Assisted Photocatalytic Reduction of Nitroaromatics by Recyclable Ni(II)-Porphyrin Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) at RT

A microporous Ni(II)-porphyrin metal-organic framework (MOF), [Ni3(Ni-HTCPP)2(μ2-H2O)2(H2O)4(DMF)2]·2DMF, (MOF1) (where, Ni-HTCPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-benzoate) porphyrinato-Ni(II)) has been synthesized by the solvothermal route. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 reveals a 2D network structure constituted by Ni3 cluster and [Ni-HTCPP](3-) metalloligand having (3, 6)-connected binodal net with {4(3)}2{4(6)·6(6)·8(3)}-kgd net topology. The 2D layers are further stacked together through π-π interactions between the porphyrin linkers to generate a 3D supramolecular framework which houses 1D channels with dimension of ∼5.0 × 9.0 Å(2) running along the crystallographic a-axis. Visible-light-assisted photocatalytic investigation of MOF1 for heterogeneous reduction of various nitroaromatics at room temperature resulted in the corresponding amines with high yield and selectivity. On the contrary, the Ni(II)-centered porphyrin tetracarboxylic acid [Ni-H4TCPP] metalloligand does not show the photocatalytic activity under similar conditions. The remarkably high catalytic performance of MOF1 over [Ni-H4TCPP] metalloligand has been attributed due to cooperative catalysis involving the Ni-centered porphyrin secendary building units (SBUs) and the Ni3-oxo node. Further, the MOF1 was recycled and reused up to three cycles without any significant loss of catalytic activity as well as structural rigidity. To the best of our knowledge, MOF1 represents the first example of MOF based on 3d metal ion exhibiting visible-light-assisted reduction of nitroaromatics under mild conditions without the assistance of noble metal cocatalysts.

Construction of 2D interwoven and 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(ii): the effect of ancillary ligands on the structure and the catalytic performance for the Knoevenagel reaction

The effect of ancillary ligands on structure and catalytic activity for Knoevenagel reaction of three new metal–organic coordination networks of Cd(ii) constructed from a rigid dicarboxylate ligand and various bipyridine spacers has been presented.

Bis(4-pyridyl)mercury – a new linear tecton in crystal engineering: coordination polymers and co-crystallization processes

Three new coordination polymers have been obtained using bis(4-pyridyl)mercury (py₂Hg) as a spacer: [Cu(Hmea)₂(py₂Hg)](ClO₄)₂·2(py₂Hg) (1), [Cu₂(pa)₂(py₂Hg)(ClO₄)₂]·0.5(py₂Hg)·H₂O (2), and [Cu₂(pa)₂(py₂Hg)₂](BF₄)₂ (3) (Hmea = monoethanolamine; Hpa = propanolamine).

Controlled in situ reaction for the assembly of Cu(ii) mixed-ligand coordination polymers: synthesis, structure, mechanistic insights, magnetism and catalysis

Controlled in situ nucleophilic addition reaction results in two Cu(ii) mixed-ligand coordination polymers, and the one-step nucleophilic addition for in situ reaction is proposed.

A unique “cage-in-cage” metal–organic framework based on nested cages from interpenetrated networks

A novel “cage-in-cage” metal–organic framework was obtained based on nested cage structures originated from two-fold interpenetrated networks, which indicates the potential of interpenetration in structure modulation of cage-based MOFs.

A luminescent 3D interpenetrating metal–organic framework for highly selective sensing of nitrobenzene

A three-dimensional (3D), luminescent, 5-fold interpenetrating metal–organic framework (MOF), [Zn₂(fdc)₂(bpee)₂(H₂O)·2H₂O] (1) exhibiting highly selective sensing of nitrobenzene (NB) via a fluorescence quenching mechanism has been demonstrated.

Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure and photoluminescence properties of four Cd(ii) coordination polymers with different topological structures

Four coordination polymers assembled by tetrabromoterephthalic acid and various bis(imidazole) ligands: synthesis, topological structures and luminescence properties.