Probing Structural Defects in MOFs Using Water Stability

Defects in the crystal structures of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), whether present intrinsically or introduced via so-called defect engineering, can play strong roles in the properties of MOFs for various applications. Unfortunately, direct experimental detection and characterization of defects in MOFs are very challenging. We show that in many cases, the differences between experimentally observed and computationally predicted water stabilities of MOFs can be used to deduce information on the presence of point defects in real materials. Most computational studies of MOFs consider these materials to be defect-free, and in many cases, the resulting structures are predicted to be hydrophobic. Systematic experimental studies, however, have shown that many MOFs are hydrophilic. We show that the existence of chemically plausible point defects can often account for this discrepancy and use this observation in combination with detailed molecular simulations to assess the impact of local defects and flexibility in a variety of MOFs for which defects had not been considered previously.

Copper-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as an Emerging Catalytic Framework for Click Chemistry

In the extensive terrain of catalytic procedures for the synthesis of organic molecules, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as heterogenous catalysts have been investigated in a variety of chemical processes, including Friedel–Crafts reactions, condensation reactions, oxidations, and coupling reactions, and utilized owing to their specific properties such as high porosity, tuneability, extraordinary catalytic activity, and recyclability. The eminent copper-tailored MOF materials can be exceptionally dynamic and regioselective catalysts for click reactions (1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction). Considering the fact that Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions can be catalyzed by several other copper catalysts such as Cu (II)-β-cyclodextrin, Cu(OAc)2, Fe3O4@SiO2, picolinimidoamide–Cu(II) complex, and Cu(II) porphyrin graphene, the properties of sorption and reusability, as well as the high density of copper-MOFs, open an efficient and robust pathway for regimented catalysis of this reaction. This review provides a comprehensive description and analysis of the relevant literature on the utilization of Cu-MOFs as catalysts for CuAAC ‘click’ reactions published in the past decade.

Reversible Switching CuII /CuI Single Sites Catalyze High-rate and Selective CO2 Photoreduction

Herein, we first design a model of reversible redox-switching metal-organic framework single-unit-cell sheets, where the abundant metal single sites benefit for highly selective CO₂ reduction, while the reversible redox-switching metal sites can effectively activate CO₂ molecules. Taking the synthetic Cu-MOF single-unit-cell sheets as an example, synchrotron-radiation quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron spectra unravel the reversible switching Cu^II /Cu^I single sites initially accept photoexcited electrons and then donate them to CO₂ molecules, which favors the rate-liming activation into CO₂ ^δ- , verified by in situ FTIR spectra and Gibbs free energy calculations. As an outcome, Cu-MOF single-unit-cell sheets achieve near 100 % selectivity for CO₂ photoreduction to CO with a high rate of 860 μmol g^-1  h^-1 without any sacrifice reagent or photosensitizer, where both the activity and selectivity outperform previously reported photocatalysts evaluated under similar conditions.

Tannic acid modified PdAu alloy nanowires as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts

Design of the structure, composition and interface of the catalysts is very important to improve oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity under alkaline environment. Herein, we propose a direct method to rapid synthesis of tannic acid (TA) modified PdAu alloy nanowires (PdAu@TA NWs). Compared with pure PdAu NWs and commercial Pt/C, the PdAu@TA NWs exhibit superior ORR electrocatalytic activity (mass activity: 0.73 A mg^-1_metaland specific activity: 3.50 mA cm^-2), stability, and methanol tolerance in an alkaline medium because PdAu@TA NWs possess sufficient active sites and synergistic effect that can effectively promote the oxygen reduction, inhibit the oxidation of the catalyst and improve the methanol tolerance of the catalyst. This synthetic method is a promising strategy to prepare metallic catalyst with surface functionalization.

Stimuli-Modulated Metal Oxidation States in Photochromic MOFs

Tuning metal oxidation states in metal-organic framework (MOF) nodes by switching between two discrete linker photoisomers via an external stimulus was probed for the first time. On the examples of three novel photochromic copper-based frameworks, we demonstrated the capability of switching between +2 and +1 oxidation states, on demand. In addition to crystallographic methods used for material characterization, the role of the photochromic moieties for tuning the oxidation state was probed via conductivity measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies. We confirmed the reversible photoswitching activity including photoisomerization rate determination of spiropyran- and diarylethene-containing linkers in extended frameworks, resulting in changes in metal oxidation states as a function of alternating excitation wavelengths. To elucidate the switching process between two states, the photoisomerization quantum yield of photochromic MOFs was determined for the first time. Overall, the introduced noninvasive concept of metal oxidation state modulation on the examples of stimuli-responsive MOFs foreshadows a new pathway for alternation of material properties toward targeted applications.

Strategies for induced defects in metal-organic frameworks for enhancing adsorption and catalytic performance

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged among porous materials. The designable structure and specific functionality make them stand out for diverse applications. In conceptual MOF, the metal ions/clusters and organic ligands...

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-, covalent-organic framework (COF)-, and porous-organic polymers (POP)-catalyzed selective C–H bond activation and functionalization reactions

The review summarizes the state-of-the-art of C–H active transformations over crystalline and amorphous porous materials as new emerging heterogeneous (photo)catalysts.

Pyrazine Based Type-I Sensitizing Assemblies for Photoreduction of Cu(II) in 'One-Pot Three-Component' CuAAC Reaction Under Aerial Conditions

Photosensitizing assemblies of pyrazine derivative PDA have been developed which exhibit a high photostability, 'lighted' excited state, balanced redox potential, high transportation potential and activate oxygen via type-I pathway only. These PDA assemblies in combination with Cu(II) ions catalyze the CuAAC reaction via in situ reduction of Cu(II) ions without any reducing or stabilizing agent. The present protocol has wide substrate scope with recyclability of the catalytic system up to six catalytic cycles and is applicable to gram-scale synthesis.

Boosting free radical type photocatalysis over Pd/Fe-MOFs by coordination structure engineering

The development of novel heterogeneous photocatalytic systems, along with a deep understanding of the relationship between the catalytic center chemical environment and the catalytic performance, is of great significance.