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.

Facile and Rapid Preparation of Ag@ZIF-8 for Carboxylation of Terminal Alkynes with CO2 in Mild Conditions

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising hosts for catalytic active sites due to their adjustable porosity and framework chemistry. Strategies to improve synergistic effects between the installed sites and the parent MOF are highly desired. Herein, a facile and rapid method for the preparation of xAg@ZIF-8 materials was reported. The materials were systematically characterized and used as catalysts for carboxylation of terminal alkynes via direct insertion of CO₂ to the C(sp)-H bond (CTA_CO2). It was found that the integrity of the ZIF-8 structure could be retained upon Ag loading, but short-range crystalline ordering was modified. Two types Ag species could be installed, namely, highly dispersed Ag(I) in the backbone (Ag^HD) and aggregated Ag(0) nanoparticles on the outer surface (Ag^NP). The Ag^NP sites are highly effective for the activation of terminal alkynes due to its high accessibility, while the Ag^HD-modified ZIF-8 framework worked as a CO₂ reservoir with enhanced affinity. Combination of these factors translated to high activity in the CTA_CO2 process, the measured turnover frequency and time yield are among the highest among most heterogeneous catalysts.

N, S-containing MOF-derived dual-doped mesoporous carbon as a highly effective oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst

Uniform N, S-codoping in carbon can be achieved in one step when a N, S-containing MOF (SCUT-12), which features “atom-level control over composition”, is used as the precursor.

Post-synthetic ion-exchange process in nanoporous metal–organic frameworks; an effective way for modulating their structures and properties

In this review paper, we considered all of the reports on the ion-exchange process which occur in the pores of MOFs. A comparison between MOFs before and after-exchange process and their applications were addressed.

Synthesis, structure, thermostability and luminescence properties of Zn(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers based on dimethysuccinate and flexible 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene ligands

The design and synthesis of functional coordination polymers is motivated not only by their structural beauty but also by their potential applications. Zn(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers are promising candidates for producing photoactive materials because these d(10) metal ions not only possess a variety of coordination numbers and geometries, but also exhibit luminescence properties when bound to functional ligands. It is difficult to predict the final structure of such polymers because the assembly process is influenced by many subtle factors. Bis(imidazol-1-yl)-substituted alkane/benzene molecules are good bridging ligands because their flexibility allows them to bend and rotate when they coordinate to metal centres. Two new Zn(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers based on mixed ligands, namely, poly[[μ2-1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene-κ(2)N(3):N(3')]bis(μ3-2,2-dimethylbutanoato-κ(3)O(1):O(4):O(4'))dizinc(II)], [Zn2(C6H8O4)2(C14H14N4)]n, and poly[[μ2-1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene-κ(2)N(3):N(3')]bis(μ3-2,2-dimethylbutanoato-κ(5)O(1),O(1'):O(4),O(4'):O(4))dicadmium(II)], [Cd2(C6H8O4)2(C14H14N4)]n, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Both complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with similar unit-cell parameters and feature two-dimensional structures formed by the interconnection of S-shaped Zn(Cd)-2,2-dimethylsuccinate chains with 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene bridges. However, the Cd(II) and Zn(II) centres have different coordination numbers and the 2,2-dimethylsuccinate ligands display different coordination modes. Both complexes exhibit a blue photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature.

A two-dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer based on mixed dimethyl succinate and bipyridine ligands: synthesis, structure, thermostability and luminescence properties

From the viewpoint of crystal engineering, the construction of crystalline polymeric materials requires a rational choice of organic bridging ligands for the self-assembly process. Multicarboxylate ligands are of particular interest due to their strong coordination activity towards metal ions, as well as their various coordination modes and versatile conformations. The structural chemistry of dicarboxylate-based coordination polymers of transition metals has been developed through the grafting of N-containing organic linkers into carboxylate-bridged transition metal networks. A new luminescent two-dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer containing bridging 2,2-dimethylsuccinate and 4,4'-bipyridine ligands, namely poly[[aqua(μ2-4,4'-bipyridine-κ(2)N:N')bis(μ3-2,2-dimethylbutanedioato)-κ(4)O(1),O(1'):O(4):O(4');κ(5)O(1):O(1),O(4):O(4),O(4')-dizinc(II)] dihydrate], {[Zn2(C6H8O4)2(C10H8N2)(H2O)]·2H2O}n, has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental, IR and thermogravimetric analyses. In the structure, the 2,2-dimethylsuccinate ligands link linear tetranuclear Zn(II) subunits into one-dimensional chains along the c axis. 4,4'-Bipyridine acts as a tethering ligand expanding these one-dimensional chains into a two-dimensional layered structure. Hydrogen-bonding interactions between the water molecules (both coordinated and free) and carboxylate O atoms strengthen the packing of the layers. Furthermore, the luminescence properties of the complex were investigated. The compound exhibits a blue photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature and may be a good candidate for potential hybrid inorganic-organic photoactive materials.

Cu(ii)/Cu(0)@UiO-66-NH2: base metal@MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts for olefin oxidation and reduction

Two copper-loaded MOF materials, Cu(ii)@Ui-O-66-NH₂ (1) and Cu(0)@UiO-66-NH₂ (2), which can be highly active heterogeneous catalysts for olefin oxidation and hydrogenation, are reported.

A new two-dimensional extended adenine and thiophenecarboxylate mixed-ligand zinc(II) complex: synthesis, structure, thermostability and luminescent properties

The design and preparation of crystalline polymeric materials has attracted increasing attention due to their diverse applications as functional materials in gas storage, separation, catalysis, sensing and photoluminescence. The judicious selection of organic linkers is critical for varying the coordination behaviour of the metal ions and determining the overall characteristics of the networks. A new adenine-based Zn(II) coordination polymer, [Zn(C6H2O4S)(C5H5N5)]n or [Zn(tdc)(9H-ade)] (H2tdc is thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and ade is adenine), has been prepared hydrothermally and the crystal structure exhibits in its packing two-dimensional (4,4) grid sheets parallel to the ab plane, featuring two distinct square cavities delimited by the two types of ligands and the Zn(II) ions with the dimensions 6.6 × 6.6 and 10.2 × 10.2 Å (based on the Zn...Zn distance). The title complex shows enhanced photoluminescence at 378 nm compared to the free ligands, suggesting that the coordination of H2tdc or adenine to the metal centre effectively increases the rigidity of the ligands and reduces the energy loss by radiative decay of intraligand excited states.

Encapsulation of Mono- or Bimetal Nanoparticles Inside Metal-Organic Frameworks via In situ Incorporation of Metal Precursors

A facile, in situ metal precursor incorporation strategy is established for good control over the location and composition of metal nanoparticles within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). This one-step metal precursor incorporation route is successfully applied to the fabrication of ultrafine Pd, Ni, and PdNi alloys to be selectively encapsulated inside the pores of MOFs, achieving superior catalytic activity and stability in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene.

Three luminescent metal–organic frameworks constructed from trinuclear zinc(ii) clusters and furan-2,5-dicarboxylate

Three metal–organic frameworks constructed from trinuclear zinc(ii) clusters and furan-2,5-dicarboxylate with different topology were hydrothermally synthesized by adjusting the anions and solvent. Moreover, the blue luminescence of the complexes was investigated.

Coordinated assembly of a new 3D mesoporous Fe3O4@Cu2O–graphene oxide framework as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of quinoxalines

A novel 3D mesoporous Fe₃O₄@Cu₂O–graphene oxide framework as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst was synthesized.

[Co(H2O)6]2+and H3O+encapsulated in a unique 3D anionic Co(ii) framework with hydrophilic hexagonal and circular channels

An interesting Co-based 3D framework exhibits a rare example where [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺and H₃O⁺ions not only act as counterions to balance the negatively charged structure, but also may serve as templates in the assembly of the anionic framework with open hydrophilic channels.