Fine Tuning the Hydrophobicity of a New Three-Dimensional Cu2+ MOF through Single Crystal Coordinating Ligand Exchange Transformations

The synthesis, characterization, and single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) exchange reactions of a new 3D Cu2+ MOF based on 5-aminoisophthalic acid (H2AIP), [Cu6(μ3-ΟΗ)3(ΑΙΡ)4(HΑΙΡ)]n·6nDMF·nH2O - UCY-16·6nDMF·nH2O, are reported. It exhibits a 3D structure based on two [Cu4(μ3-OH)2]6+ butterfly-like secondary building units, differing in their peripheral ligation, bridged through HAIP-/AIP2- ligands. This compound displays the capability to exchange the coordinating ligand(s) and/or guest solvent molecules through SCSC reactions. Interestingly, heterogeneous reactions of single crystals of UCY-16·6nDMF·nH2O with primary alcohols resulted not only in the removal of the lattice DMF molecules but also in an unprecedented structural alteration that involved the complete or partial replacement of the monoatomic bridging μ3-OH- anion(s) of the [Cu4(μ3-OH)2]6+ butterfly structural core by various alkoxy groups. Similar crystal-to-crystal exchange reactions of UCY-16·6nDMF·nH2O with long-chain aliphatic alcohols (CxH2x+1OH, x = 8-10, 12, 14, and 16) led to analogues containing fatty alcohols. Notably, the exchanged products with the bulkier alcohols UCY-16/n-CxH2x+1OH·S' (x = 6-10, 12, 14, and 16) do not mix with H2O being quite stable in this solvent, in contrast to the pristine MOF, and exhibit a hydrophobic/superhydrophobic surface as confirmed from the investigation of their water contact angles and capability to remove hydrophobic pollutants from aqueous media.

Catalysis of a Diels-Alder Reaction between Azachalcones and Cyclopentadiene by a Recyclable Copper(II)-PEIP Metal-Organic Framework

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable interest as emerging heterogeneous catalysts for organic transformations of synthetic utility. Herein, a Lewis-acidic MOF, {[Cu3(PEIP)2(5-NH2-mBDC)(DMF)]·7DMF}∞, denoted as Cu(ΙΙ)-PEIP, has been synthesized via a one-pot process and deployed as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for a Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Specifically, the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 13 substituted azachalcone dienophiles with cyclopentadiene has been investigated. MOF-catalyzed reaction conditions were optimized, leading to the selection of water as the solvent, in the presence of 10% mol sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to address substrate solubility. The Cu(II)-PEIP catalyst showed excellent activity under these green and mild conditions, exhibiting comparable or, in some cases, superior efficiency to a homogeneous catalyst often employed in Diels-Alder reactions, namely, Cu(OTf)2. The nature of the azachalcone substituent played a significant role in the reactivity of the dienophiles, with electron-withdrawing (EW) substituents enhancing conversion and electron-donating (ED) ones exhibiting the opposite effect. Coordinating substituents appeared to enhance the endo selectivity. Importantly, the Cu(II)-PEIP catalyst can be readily isolated from the reaction mixture and recycled up to four times without any significant reduction in conversion or selectivity.

Efficient CO2 Capture under Humid Conditions on a Novel Amide-Functionalized Fe- Metal-Organic Framework

CO₂ is the main source of the greenhouse gases, and its capture from flue gas under humid conditions is challenging but important for promoting carbon neutrality. Herein, we report a novel soc topology Fe-based metal-organic framework (Fe-dbai) with highly efficient postcombusion CO₂ capture performance by integrating multiple specific functionalities, such as unsaturated metal sites and amide functional groups. The CO₂ adsorption capacity and CO₂/N₂ selectivity of Fe-dbai are high up to 6.4 mmol/g and 64 (298 K, 1 bar), respectively, superior to many other reported MOFs. More importantly, the CO₂ working capacity of Fe-dbai under 60% RH conditions preserves 94% of that under dry conditions in the breakthrough experiments of CO₂/N₂ (15:85, v/v) mixtures. The molecular simulation highlights that the electronegative amide CO- group has a good affinity for CO₂ and can improve the interaction between Fe UMS and CO₂. Although H₂O molecules will occupy a small fraction of the adsorption sites, the confinement effect it produces can enhance the adsorption affinity of the framework for CO₂, which results in Fe-dbai retaining most of the CO₂ adsorption capacity under humid conditions. The excellent CO₂ capture performance makes Fe-dbai a potential candidate for the practical application of CO₂ capture.

Synthesis of Copper Metal Organic Framework Based on Schiff Base Tricarboxylate Ligand for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol in Aqueous Medium

By using Schiff base tricarboxylate ligand 5-(4-carboxybenzylideneamino)isophthalic acid (H₃CIP), a new imine functionalized copper metal organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized solvothermally. It was fully characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping techniques. The as-synthesized MOF has been utilized as fluorescent probe for detection of nitro aromatic explosives (NAEs). The results show that the copper MOF can be developed into highly selective and sensitive sensor for detection of TNP in the aqueous medium via the "turn-off" quenching response. The linear fitting of the Stern-Volmer plot for TNP offered large quenching constant of 1.07 × 10⁴ M^-1 for Cu-MOF indicating the high sensitivity of the sensing process. Outstanding sensitivity of prepared material towards TNP detection was further validated by the low detection limit of 80 ppb (0.35 µM). The detailed mechanistic studies for their mode of action and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals that photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) processes, as well as electrostatic interactions (i.e. H-bonding) are the key factors for the turn-off response toward TNP by this fluorescent sensor. Thus, this new LMOF owing to their high water stability and remarkable functional features are potential candidates which can be developed into selective and sensitive TNP detection devices.

Expanding the NUIG MOF family: synthesis and characterization of new MOFs for selective CO2 adsorption, metal ion removal from aqueous systems, and drug delivery applications

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their use in a wide range of environmental, industrial and biomedical applications. The employment of benzophenone-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (bphdcH2) in MOF chemistry provided access to the 3D mixed metal MOFs [CoNa2(bphdc)2(DMF)2]n (NUIG2) and [ZnK2(bphdc)2(DMF)2]n (NUIG3), and the 2D homometallic MOF [Co2(OH)(bphdcH)2(DMF)2(H2O)2]n(OH)·DMF (1·DMF). 1·DMF is based on a dinuclear SBU and consists of interpenetrating networks with an sql topology. Dc magnetic susceptibility studies were carried out in 1·DMF and revealed the presence of weak antiferomagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centres. NUIG2 and NUIG3 are structural analogues of [ZnNa2(bphdc)2(DMF)2]n (NUIG1), which has shown an exceptionally high encapsulation for ibuprophen (Ibu), NO and metal ions. Both NUIG2 and NUIG3 display high metal ion (CoII, NiII, CuII) adsorption capacity, comparable to that of NUIG1, with NUIG2 exhibiting good performance in Ibu uptake (780 mg Ibu per g NUIG2). Monte Carlo simulations were conducted in NUIG1 in order to assess its adsorption capacity for other guest molecules, and revealed that it possesses an outstanding CO2 uptake at ambient pressure, which is larger than that of the previously reported best functioning species (104 vs. 100 cm3 (stp) per cm3). Furthermore, NUIG1 exhibits high selectivity for CO2 over CH4.

ZnII and CuII-Based Coordination Polymers and Metal Organic Frameworks by the of Use of 2-Pyridyl Oximes and 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic Acid

The simultaneous use of 2-pyridyl oximes (pyridine-2 amidoxime, H2pyaox; 2-methyl pyridyl ketoxime, Hmpko) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3btc) provided access to five new compounds, namely [Zn(H2btc)2(H2pyaox)2]•2H2O (1•2H2O), [Zn(Hbtc)(H2pyaox)2]n (2), [Cu(Hbtc)(H2pyaox)]n (3), [Cu(Hbtc)(HmpKo)]n (4) and [Cu2(Hbtc)2(Hmpko)2(H2O)2]•4H2O (5•4H2O). Among them, 3 is the first example of a metal-organic framework (MOF) containing H2pyaox. Its framework can be described as a 3-c uninodal net of hcb topology with the layers being parallel to the (1,0,1) plane. Furthermore, 3 is the third reported MOF based on a 2-pyridyl oxime in general. 2 and 4 are new members of a small family of coordination polymers containing an oximic ligand. 1-5 form 3D networks through strong intermolecular interactions. Dc magnetic susceptibility studies were carried out in a crystalline sample of 3 and revealed the presence of weak exchange interactions between the metal centres; the experimental data were fitted to a theoretical model with the fitting parameters being J = -0.16(1) cm-1 and g = 2.085(1). The isotropic g value was also confirmed by electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Reactivity studies were performed for 3 in the presence of metal ions; the reaction progress was studied and discussed for Fe(NO3)3 by the use of several characterization techniques, including single crystal X-ray crystallography and IR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and characterization of new coordination compounds by the use of 2-pyridinemethanol and di- or tricarboxylic acids

The combination of 2-pyridinemethanol (Hhmp) and trimesic or terephthalic acid has provided access to five new coordination compounds, including the first metal–organic frameworks bearing Hhmp.

From 1D Coordination Polymers to Metal Organic Frameworks by the Use of 2-Pyridyl Oximes

The synthesis and characterization of coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has attracted a significant interest over the last decades due to their fascinating physical properties, as well as their use in a wide range of technological, environmental, and biomedical applications. The initial use of 2-pyridyl oximic ligands such as pyridine-2 amidoxime (H2pyaox) and 2-methyl pyridyl ketoxime (Hmpko) in combination with 1,2,4,5-benzene tetracarboxylic acid (pyromellitic acid), H4pma, provided access to nine new compounds whose structures and properties are discussed in detail. Among them, [Zn2(pma)(H2pyaox)2(H2O)2]n (3) and [Cu4(OH)2(pma)(mpko)2]n (9) are the first MOFs based on a 2-pyridyl oxime with 9 possessing a novel 3,4,5,8-c net topology. [Zn2(pma)(H2pyaox)2]n (2), [Cu2(pma)(H2pyaox)2(DMF)2]n (6), and [Cu2(pma)(Hmpko)2(DMF)2]n (8) join a small family of coordination polymers containing an oximic ligand. 9 exhibits selectivity for FeIII ions adsorption, as was demonstrated by a variety of techniques including UV-vis, EDX, and magnetism. DC magnetic susceptibility studies in 9 revealed the presence of strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal centers, which lead to a diamagnetic ground state; it was also found that the magnetic properties of 9 are affected by the amount of the encapsulated Fe3+ ions, which is a very desirable property for the development of magnetism-based sensors.

Two unique copper cluster-based metal–organic frameworks with high performance for CO2 adsorption and separation

Two unique Cu cluster-based MOFs have been constructed. Compound 1 with high-density OMSs and LBSs exhibits high CO₂ separation ability.

New Topologically Unique Metal-Organic Architectures Driven by a Pyridine-Tricarboxylate Building Block

Two new three-dimensional (3D) coordination compounds, namely a lead(II) coordination polymer (CP) {[Pb3(µ5-cpta)(µ6-cpta)(phen)2]·2H2O}n (1) and a zinc(II) metal-organic framework (MOF) {[Zn2(µ4-cpta)(µ-OH)(µ-4,4′-bipy)]·6H2O}n (2), were hydrothermally assembled from 2-(5-carboxypyridin-2-yl)terephthalic acid (H3cpta) as an unexplored principal building block and aromatic N,N-donors as crystallization mediators. Both products were isolated as air-stable microcrystalline solids and were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural and topological features of CP 1 and MOF 2 were analyzed in detail, allowing to identify a topologically unique 4,5,5,6-connected net in 1 or a very rare 4,4-connected net with the isx topology in 2. Thermal stability and solid-state luminescent behavior of 1 and 2 were also investigated. Apart from revealing a notable topological novelty, both compounds also represent the first structurally characterized Pb(II) and Zn(II) derivatives assembled from H3cpta, thus opening up the application of this unexplored pyridine-tricarboxylate block in the design of new metal-organic architectures.

A series of porous interpenetrating metal–organic frameworks based on fluorescent ligands for nitroaromatic explosive detection

Four porous interpenetrated fluorescent MOFs based on π-electron-rich N-donor ligands can effectively detect nitroaromatic explosives and exhibit highly sensitive responses to 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.

Highly stable Y(iii)-based metal organic framework with two molecular building block for selective adsorption of C2H2 and CO2 over CH4

A novel microporous MOF ZJU-16 exhibited high thermal and chemical stability and moderately high selective separation of C₂H₂/CH₄ and CO₂/CH₄.

Syntheses, crystal structures, magnetochemistry and catechol oxidase activity of a tetracopper(ii) compound and a new type of dicopper(ii)-based 1D coordination polymer

One phenoxo–hydroxo bridged tetranuclear cluster and one phenoxo-µ_1,1-azido-µ_1,3-azido bridged one-dimensional coordination polymer of copper(ii) derived from a Schiff base ligand are described.

Directed assembly of a high surface area 2D metal–organic framework displaying the augmented “kagomé dual” (kgd-a) layered topology with high H2and CO2uptake

A high surface area layered MOF withkgd-atopology, based on a nanosized and highly aromatic hexagonal linker, shows high H₂and CO₂uptake.