Structure and properties of metal-organic frameworks modulated by sulfate ions

Anions play a significant role in the construction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Anions can affect coordination between metal ions and organic ligands, and the formation of crystal structures, thereby affecting the structure and properties of MOFs. Two novel 3D porous MOFs ({[Cd3(TIPE)2(SO4)1.6(H2O)2.4]·2.8OH·6.2H2O}n (MOF-1) and {[Cd3(TIPE)2(SO4)3(H2O)2]·10H2O}n (MOF-2)) were successfully synthesized, by introducing SO42- to design and adjust their structure and properties, in which the sulfate ions not only participated in coordination but also played a bridging role. Both MOF-1 and MOF-2 exhibited high stability and strong fluorescence properties, and their fluorescence properties also changed compared to those of previously reported 2D nonporous MOF-3 ({[Cd2(TIPE)2Cl3(ACN)]·CdCl3·3H2O}n) with an identical ligand. They could also be used in combination with MOF-3 to distinguish between Fe3+ and Cr2O72- ions, due to a change in their fluorescence properties. In this work, the structure was reshaped by introducing sulfate ions, and the role and function of the sulfate ions in the structure were studied, providing a feasible idea for the design and precise regulation of MOFs.

Coordination Polymer-Mediated Molecular Surgery for Precise Interconversion of Dicyclobutane Compounds

A Cd(II)-based coordination polymer {[Cd₂(5-F-1,3-bpeb)₂(FBA)₄]·H₂O}_n (CP₁) was obtained from Cd(II) salt, 5-fluoro-1,3-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene (5-F-1,3-bpeb), and p-fluorobenzoic acid (HFBA). Within the one-dimensional chain structure of CP₁, a pair of 5-F-1,3-bpeb was arranged in a face-to-face style. Upon UV irradiation and heat treatment, multiple cyclobutane isomers, including specific monocyclobutanes (1 with an endo-cyclobutane ring in CP₁-1 and 1' with an exo-cyclobutane ring in CP₁-1') and dicyclobutanes (endo,endo-dicyclobutane 2α in CP₁-2α, exo,endo-dicyclobutane 2β in CP₁-2β, and exo,exo-dicyclobutane 2γ in CP₁-2γ) were stereoselectively produced. These isomers could be interconverted inside the CP via cutting/coupling specific bonds, which may be regarded as a type of molecular surgery. The precision of cutting/coupling relied on the thermal stability of the cyclobutanes and the alignment of the reactive alkene centers. The conversion processes were tracked through nuclear magnetic resonance, in situ powder X-ray diffraction, and IR spectroscopy. This approach can be considered as skeletal editing to construct complex organic compounds directly from one precursor.

Hierarchical N-Doped CuO/Cu Composites Derived from Dual-Ligand Metal-Organic Frameworks as Cost-Effective Catalysts for Low-Temperature CO Oxidation

Development of multi-ligand metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and derived heteroatom-doped composites as efficient non-noble metal-based catalysts is highly desirable. However, rational design of these materials with controllable composition and structure remains a challenge. In this study, novel hierarchical N-doped CuO/Cu composites were synthesized by assembling dual-ligand MOFs via a solvent-induced coordination modulation/low-temperature pyrolysis method. Different from a homogeneous system, our heterogeneous nucleation strategy provided more flexible and cost-effective MOF production and offered efficient direction/shape-controlled synthesis, resulting in a faster reaction and more complete conversion. After pyrolysis, they further transformed to a unique metal/carbon matrix with regular morphology and, as a hot template, guided the orderly generation of metal oxides, eliminating sintering and agglomeration of metal oxides and initiating a synergistic effect between the N-doped metal oxide/metal and carbon matrix. The prepared N-doped CuO/Cu catalysts held unique water resistance and superior catalytic activity (100% CO conversion at 140 °C).

A High-Symmetry Double-Shell Gd30Co12 Cluster Exhibiting a Large Magnetocaloric Effect

A high-nuclearity 3d-4f cluster of [Gd₃₀Co^II₆Co^III₆(OH)₅₆(NO₃)₁₂(CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₃₀]·(NO₃)₂₂·(en)₃·(H₂O)₃ (1) was synthesized through the reaction of Gd(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, and sodium acetate in a mixture of ethanediamine (en), ethanol, and deionized water. The cluster core in 1 features a double-shell structure with a Co₁₂ icosahedron encapsulating a Gd₃₀ icosidodecahedron. A magnetic study reveals that separating Co²⁺ ions with Gd³⁺ ions can effectively reduce the magnetic interaction of 3d-4f clusters. Significantly, the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of 1 at 2 K and 7 T is up to 44.7 J kg^-1 K^-1, the largest MCE reported to date in the 3d-4f metal clusters.

Cobalt-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Adsorption of CO2 and C2 Hydrocarbons: Effect of Auxiliary Ligands with Different Functional Groups

Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been investigated as potential materials for CO₂ capture and light hydrocarbon storage/separation due to their high porosity, large surface area, and tunable skeleton structures. In this work, the six cobalt-based MOFs 1-6 were successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions by a mixed-ligand strategy. 1 and 2 have the same framework structure with a topology of {4²·5}₂{4⁴·5¹⁰·6⁷·7⁶·8}, while the structures of the 3-6 frameworks are the same with a topology of {4²·5}₂{4⁴·5¹⁰·6⁹·7⁴·8}. The adsorption properties of these MOFs for CO₂ and C₂ hydrocarbons were then investigated, and the effect of the functional groups was discussed. The results revealed that the introduction of amino and bromo groups could effectively strengthen the adsorption performance.

Series of Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Based on a Versatile Multi-N-Donor Tecton or Mixed Carboxylate Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Selectively Sensing Property

Five Cd(II) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [Cd(HL)₂] (1), [Cd(HL)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), [Cd₃(HL)₂(obda)₂] (3), [Cd₂(HL)₂(ohmbda)(DMA)(H₂O)] (4), and [Cd₂(HL)(btc)(H₂O)₂]·3H₂O (5), were prepared by reactions of Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O with 1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-4-(4H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene (H₂L) or mixed carboxylate ancillary ligands of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂obda), 5-hydroxy-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂ohmbda), and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H₃btc), respectively. Their structures have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are supramolecular isomeric frameworks without consideration of the solvent molecules. Complex 1 exhibits a binodal (3, 5)-connected two-dimensional (2D) layer structure with the point (Schläfli) symbol of (5²·6)(5⁵·6⁴·7), while complex 2 shows a 2D + 2D → 3D (three-dimensional) framework. Complex 3 is a (3, 5, 6)-connected tetranodal 3D net with the point (Schläfli) symbol of (4·8²)₂(4⁵·6·8⁴)₂(4⁵·6⁵)₂(4⁸·6⁶·8). Compound 4 is a (3, 3, 8)-connected trinodal 3D net with the point (Schläfli) symbol based on a binuclear [Cd₂N₂O] subunit, while 5 is a 2-nodal (3, 4)-connected 2D V₂O₅-type network based on [Cd₂N₂(COO)₂] SBU. The studies of molecular sensing properties show that the luminescent MOFs can be employed as fluorescent sensors for the detection of Fe³⁺ and nitro compounds. Compound 1 and 3 exhibit quenching responses for Fe³⁺ in dimethylformamide solution with detection limits of 2.3 × 10^-6 and 8.6 × 10^-7 M, respectively. Meanwhile, compound 5 can sense 4-nitrophenol with a detection limit as low as 5.75 × 10^-7 M.

Amino functionalized Zn/Cd-metal-organic frameworks for selective CO2 adsorption and Knoevenagel condensation reactions

Two amino functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), {[Zn(Py2TTz)(2-NH2-BDC)]·(DMF)}n (1) and {[Cd(Py2TTz)(2-NH2-BDC)]·(DMF)·0.5(H2O)}n (2) (where Py2TTz = 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole, 2-NH2-BDC = 2-amino-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), were synthesized and characterized using the primary ligand 2-amino-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (2-NH2-H2BDC) and the auxiliary ligand 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (Py2TTz). They possess similar 2-fold interpenetrated three-dimensional bipillared-layer framework structures composed of typical binuclear metal nodes, 2-NH2-BDC two-dimensional layers and Py2TTz bipillars. Notably, thiazole nitrogen atoms and pendant -NH2 groups are present in channels in the two frameworks. Given their good chemical stabilities, high thermal stabilities, and exposed nitrogen sites, gas adsorption and catalytic experiments of the two MOFs were performed. The results demonstrate that MOF 2 can selectively adsorb carbon dioxide gas; moreover, the two MOFs can be employed as recyclable heterogeneous catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation reactions under solvent-free conditions.

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.

Cooperative proton transportation based on the reversible single crystal–single crystal transformation in a highly water-stable Cu-MOF with its facile and scalable preparation

A Cu-MOF with excellent acid–base stability in boiling water was constructed under mild conditions. This MOF was very suitable for scaled-up preparation, and exhibits distinct proton conductivity at temperatures above and below 75 °C.