Regioselective Atomic Layer Deposition in Metal–Organic Frameworks Directed by Dispersion Interactions

Computational Analysis of Sarin, Soman, and Their Water Mixtures in NU-1000: Interaction Mechanisms, Distribution Patterns, and Pairing Effects

Due to their extraordinary structural stability under humid conditions, zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have been widely investigated for the hydrolytic degradation of nerve agents. That said, mechanisms of hydrolysis in the solid state and the participation of environmental water are not well understood. This work utilizes computational techniques to evaluate the behavior of water and two organophosphorus nerve agents (sarin and soman) in NU-1000, a Zr-MOF with the characteristic attributes for hydrolytic efficiency under humid conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that soman binds more favorably to NU-1000 active sites than sarin, resulting in different preferential locations of each nerve agent within the framework. The strength of nerve agent binding is also found to vary depending on the site environment, with more favorable binding of both nerve agents occurring in the c-pores of NU-1000 than in the mesopores. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results further illustrate that free water molecules in NU-1000 prioritize interactions with nerve agents. Given the variation in their affinity for active site interactions, the introduction of different nerve agents to the framework results in substantial differences in water distribution and behavior. The results give insight into potential variances in the functionality of NU-1000 toward the hydrolysis of each nerve agent. More importantly, they emphasize the significance of considering the role of environmental water in hydrolysis and the possibility of diverse reaction variables based on the type of nerve agent and the properties of the MOF.

Design and Advanced Manufacturing of NU-1000 Metal-Organic Frameworks with Future Perspectives for Environmental and Renewable Energy Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a relatively new family of materials that attract lots of attention thanks to their unique features such as hierarchical porosity, active metal centers, versatility of linkers/metal nodes, and large surface area. Among the extended list of MOFs, Zr-based-MOFs demonstrate comparably superior chemical and thermal stabilities, making them ideal candidates for energy and environmental applications. As a Zr-MOF, NU-1000 is first synthesized at Northwestern University. A comprehensive review of various approaches to the synthesis of NU-1000 MOFs for obtaining unique surface properties (e.g., diverse surface morphologies, large surface area, and particular pore size distribution) and their applications in the catalysis (electro-, and photo-catalysis), CO2 reduction, batteries, hydrogen storage, gas storage/separation, and other environmental fields are presented. The review further outlines the current challenges in the development of NU-1000 MOFs and their derivatives in practical applications, revealing areas for future investigation.

Confinement of 1D Chain and 2D Layered CuI Modules in K-INA-R Frameworks via Coordination Assembly: Structure Regulation and Semiconductivity Tuning

Herein, we present a new series of CuI-based hybrid materials with tunable structures and semiconducting properties. The CuI inorganic modules can be tailored into a one-dimensional (1D) chain and two-dimensional (2D) layer and confined/stabilized in coordination frameworks of potassium isonicotinic acid (HINA) and its derivatives (HINA-R, R = OH, NO2, and COOH). The resulting CuI-based hybrid materials exhibit interesting semiconducting behaviors associated with the dimensionality of the inorganic module; for instance, the structures containing the 2D-CuI module demonstrate significantly enhanced photoconductivity with a maximum increase of five orders of magnitude compared to that of the structures containing the 1D-CuI module. They also represent the first CuI-bearing hybrid chemiresistive gas sensors for NO2 with boosted sensing performance and sensitivity at multiple orders of magnitude over that of the pristine CuI. Particularly, the sensing ability of CuI-K-INA containing both 1D- and 2D-CuI modules is comparable to those of the best NO2 chemiresistors reported thus far.

Post-Synthetic Cyano-ferrate(II) Functionalization of a Metal-Organic Framework, NU-1000

Starting with ferrocyanide ions in acidic aqueous solution, cyano-ferrate(II) species are post-synthetically grafted to the nodes of a mesoporous zirconium-based MOF, NU-1000. As indicated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, grafting occurs by substitution of cyanide ligands by node-based hydroxo and oxo ligands rather than by substitution of node aqua ligands by cyanide ligands as bridges between Fe(II) and Zr(IV). The installed moieties yield a broad absorption band that is tentatively ascribed to iron-to-zirconium charge transfer. Consistent with Fe(III/II) redox activity, a modest fraction of the installed iron complexes are directly electrochemically addressable.

Molecular Compartments Created in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Overall Conversion

We report the construction of molecular compartments by the growth of narrow-band semiconductor nanoparticles, tungsten oxide and its hydrate, in the mesopores of a metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-100-Fe. The location of these nanoparticles in pores and their spatial arrangement across the MOF crystal are unveiled by powder X-ray diffraction and small-angle neutron scattering, respectively. Such a composition with pore-level precision leads to efficient overall conversion of gas-phase CO₂ and H₂O to CO, CH₄, and H₂O₂ under visible light. When WO₃·H₂O nanoparticles are positioned in 2.5 nm mesopores with 24 wt %, the resulting composite, namely, 24%-WO₃·H₂O-in-MIL-100-Fe, exhibits a CO₂ reduction rate of 0.49 mmol·g^-1·h^-1 beyond 420 nm and an apparent quantum efficiency of 1.5% at 420 nm. These performances stand as new benchmarks for visible-light-driven CO₂ overall conversion. In addition to the size and location of semiconductor nanoparticles, the coordinated water species in the crystal are found critical for high catalytic activity, an aspect usually overlooked.

Defined metal atom aggregates precisely incorporated into metal-organic frameworks

Nanosized metal aggregates (MAs), including metal nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoclusters (NCs), are often the active species in numerous applications. In order to maintain the active form of MAs in "use", they need to be anchored and stabilised, preventing agglomeration. In this context, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which exhibit a unique combination of properties, are of particular interest as a tunable and porous matrix to host MAs. A high degree of control in the synthesis towards atom-efficient and application-oriented MA@MOF composites is required to derive specific structure-property relationships and in turn to enable design of functions on the molecular level. Due to the versatility of MA@MOF (derived) materials, their applications are not limited to the obvious field of catalysis, but increasingly include 'out of the box' applications, for example medical diagnostics and theranostics, as well as specialised (bio-)sensoring techniques. This review focuses on recent advances in the controlled synthesis of MA@MOF materials en route to atom-precise MAs. The main synthetic strategies, namely 'ship-in-bottle', 'bottle-around-ship', and approaches to achieve novel hierarchical MA@MOF structures are highlighted and discussed while identifying their potential as well as their limitations. Hereby, an overview of standard characterisation methods that enable a systematic analysis procedure and state-of-art techniques that localise MA within MOF cavities are provided. While the perspectives of MA@MOF materials in general have been reviewed various times in the recent past, few atom-precise MAs inside MOFs have been reported so far, opening opportunities for future investigation.

Solid-State Reaction Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials: Strategies and Applications

Nanomaterials (NMs) with unique structures and compositions can give rise to exotic physicochemical properties and applications. Despite the advancement in solution-based methods, scalable access to a wide range of crystal phases and intricate compositions is still challenging. Solid-state reaction (SSR) syntheses have high potential owing to their flexibility toward multielemental phases under feasibly high temperatures and solvent-free conditions as well as their scalability and simplicity. Controlling the nanoscale features through SSRs demands a strategic nanospace-confinement approach due to the risk of heat-induced reshaping and sintering. Here, we describe advanced SSR strategies for NM synthesis, focusing on mechanistic insights, novel nanoscale phenomena, and underlying principles using a series of examples under different categories. After introducing the history of classical SSRs, key theories, and definitions central to the topic, we categorize various modern SSR strategies based on the surrounding solid-state media used for nanostructure growth, conversion, and migration under nanospace or dimensional confinement. This comprehensive review will advance the quest for new materials design, synthesis, and applications.

Strength and Nature of Host-Guest Interactions in Metal-Organic Frameworks from a Quantum-Chemical Perspective

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a convenient means for capturing, transporting, and releasing small molecules. Their rational design requires an in-depth understanding of the underlying non-covalent host-guest interactions, and the ability to easily and rapidly pre-screen candidate architectures in silico. In this work, we devised a recipe for computing the strength and analysing the nature of the host-guest interactions in MOFs. By assessing a range of density functional theory methods across periodic and finite supramolecular cluster scale we find that appropriately constructed clusters readily reproduce the key interactions occurring in periodic models at a fraction of the computational cost. Host-guest interaction energies can be reliably computed with dispersion-corrected density functional theory methods; however, decoding their precise nature demands insights from energy decomposition schemes and quantum-chemical tools for bonding analysis such as the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, the non-covalent interactions index or the density overlap regions indicator.

Generating Catalytic Sites in UiO-66 through Defect Engineering

UiO-66 is regarded as an epitome of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) because of its stability. Defect engineering has been used as a toolbox to alter the performance of MOFs. UiO-66 is among the most widely explored MOFs because of its capability to bear a high number of defects without undergoing structural collapse. Several representative works in the field of MOF-based defect engineering are available based on UiO-66. In this review, more emphasis is given toward the construction of catalytic sites by engineering defects in UiO-66 as a representative including all the detailed synthesis procedures for inducing defects, and the characterization techniques used to analyze these defects in UiO-66 are discussed. Furthermore, a comprehensive review for the defects themselves and the support using defects in catalysis is provided to accentuate the importance of defect engineering.

The Molecular Path Approaching the Active Site in Catalytic Metal-Organic Frameworks

How molecules approach, bind at, and release from catalytic sites is key to heterogeneous catalysis, including for emerging metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts. We use in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering analysis to evaluate the dominant binding sites for reagent and product molecules in the vicinity of catalytic Ni-oxo clusters in NU-1000 with different surface functionalization under conditions approaching those used in catalysis. The locations of the reagent and product molecules within the pores can be linked to the activity for ethylene hydrogenation. For the most active catalyst, ethylene reagent molecules bind close to the catalytic clusters, but only at temperatures approaching experimentally observed onset of catalysis. The ethane product molecules favor a different binding location suggesting that the product is readily released from the active site. An unusual guest-dependence of the framework negative thermal expansion is documented. We hypothesize that reagent and product binding sites reflect the pathway through the MOF to the active site and can be used to identify key factors that impact the catalytic activity.

A multimodal analytical toolkit to resolve correlated reaction pathways: the case of nanoparticle formation in zeolites

Unraveling the complex, competing pathways that can govern reactions in multicomponent systems is an experimental and technical challenge. We outline and apply a novel analytical toolkit that fully leverages the synchronicity of multimodal experiments to deconvolute causal from correlative relationships and resolve structural and chemical changes in complex materials. Here, simultaneous multimodal measurements combined diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and angular dispersive X-ray scattering suitable for pair distribution function (PDF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses. The multimodal experimental data was interpreted via multi-level analysis; conventional analyses of each data series were integrated through meta-analysis involving non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) as a dimensional reduction algorithm and correlation analysis. We apply this toolkit to build a cohesive mechanistic picture of the pathways governing silver nanoparticle formation in zeolite A (LTA), which is key to designing catalytic and separations-based applications. For this Ag-LTA system, the mechanisms of zeolite dehydration, framework flexing, ion reduction, and cluster and nanoparticle formation and transport through the zeolite are elucidated. We note that the advanced analytical approach outline here can be applied generally to multimodal experiments, to take full advantage of the efficiencies and self-consistencies in understanding complex materials and go beyond what can be achieved by conventional approaches to data analysis.

Multimodal in situ experimental data probing a complex reaction have been integrated via a multi-level analysis involving non-negative matrix factorization and correlation analysis. This strategy can be applied generally to multimodal experiments.

Symmetry Breaking and Autocatalytic Amplification in Soai Reaction Confined within UiO-MOFs under Heterogenous Conditions

Symmetry breaking is observed in the Soai reaction in a confinement environment provided by zirconium‐based UiO‐MOFs used as crystalline sponges. Subsequent reaction of encapsulated Soai aldehyde with Zn(i‐Pr)₂ vapour promoted absolute asymmetric synthesis of the corresponding alkanol. ATR‐IR and NMR confirm integration of aldehyde into the porous material, and a similar localization of newly formed chiral alkanol after reaction. Despite the confinement, the Soai reaction exhibits significant activity and autocatalytic amplification. Comparative catalytic studies with various UiO‐MOFs indicate different outcomes in terms of enantiomeric excess, handedness distribution of the product and reaction rate, when compared to pristine solid Soai aldehyde, while the crystalline MOF remains highly stable to action of Zn(iPr)₂ vapour. This is an unprecedented example of absolute asymmetric synthesis using MOFs.

Engineering Dendrimer-Templated, Metal-Organic Framework-Confined Zero-Valent, Transition-Metal Catalysts

We describe and experimentally illustrate a strategy for synthesizing reactant-accessible, supported arrays of well-confined, sub-nanometer to 2 nm, metal(0) clusters and particles-here, copper, palladium, and platinum. The synthesis entails (a) solution-phase binding of metal ions by a generation-2 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer, (b) electrostatic uptake of metalated, solution-dissolved, and positively charged dendrimers by the negatively charged pores of a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), NU-1000, and (c) chemical reduction of the incorporated metal ions. The pH of the unbuffered solution is known to control the overall charges of both the dendrimer guests and the hierarchically porous MOF. The combined results of electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, and other measurements indicate the formation and microscopically uniform spatial distributions of zero-valent, monometallic Cu, Pd, and Pt species, with sizes depending strongly on the conditions and methods used for reduction of incorporated metal ions. Access to sub-nanometer clusters is ascribed to the stabilization effects imposed by the two templates (i.e., NU-1000 and dendrimer), which significantly limit the extent to which the metal atoms aggregate; as the thermal input increases, the dendrimer template gradually decomposes, allowing a further aggregation of metal clusters inside the hexagonal mesoporous channel of the MOF template, which ultimately self-limits at 3 nm (i.e., the mesopore width of NU-1000). Using CO oxidation and n-hexene hydrogenation as model reactions in the gas and condensed phases, we show that the dual-templated metal species can act as stable, efficient heterogeneous catalysts.

Pyrene-based metal organic frameworks: from synthesis to applications

Pyrene is one of the most widely investigated aromatic hydrocarbons given to its unique optical and electronic properties. Hence, pyrene-based ligands have been attractive for the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the last few years. In this review, we will focus on the most important characteristics of pyrene, in addition to the development and synthesis of pyrene-based molecules as bridging ligands to be used in MOF structures. We will summarize the synthesis attempts, as well as the post-synthetic modifications of pyrene-based MOFs by the incorporation of metals or ligands in the structure. The discussion of promising results of such MOFs in several applications; including luminescence, photocatalysis, adsorption and separation, heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemical applications and bio-medical applications will be highlighted. Finally, some insights and future prospects will be given based on the studies discussed in the review. This review will pave the way for the researchers in the field for the design and development of novel pyrene-based structures and their utilization for different applications.

Active metal single-sites based on metal–organic frameworks: construction and chemical prospects

Metal single-point is a novel and potential design strategy that has been applied for the development of metal organic frameworks.

Heterogenisation of polyoxometalates and other metal-based complexes in metal–organic frameworks: from synthesis to characterisation and applications in catalysis

This review provides a thorough overview of composites with molecular catalysts (polyoxometalates, or organometallic or coordination complexes) immobilised into MOFs via non-covalent interactions.

Synthetic strategies of supported atomic clusters for heterogeneous catalysis

Supported atomic clusters with uniform metal sites and definite low-nuclearity are intermediate states between single-atom catalysts (SACs) and nanoparticles in size. Benefiting from the presence of metal–metal bonds, supported atomic clusters can trigger synergistic effects among every metal atom, which contributes to achieving unique catalytic properties different from SACs and nanoparticles. However, the scalable and precise synthesis and atomic-level insights into the structure–properties relationship of supported atomic clusters is a great challenge. This perspective presents the latest progress of the synthesis of supported atomic clusters, highlights how the structure affects catalytic properties, and discusses the limitations as well as prospects.

Supported atomic clusters with precise nuclearity are intermediate states between single-atom catalysts and nanoparticles in size. Here the authors summarize and discuss synthetic strategies of supported atomic clusters with unique catalytic properties for heterogeneous reactions.

Isomerization and Selective Hydrogenation of Propyne: Screening of Metal-Organic Frameworks Modified by Atomic Layer Deposition

Various metal oxide clusters upward of 8 atoms (Cu, Cd, Co, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sn, W, Zn, In, and Al) were incorporated into the pores of the metal-organic framework (MOF) NU-1000 via atomic layer deposition (ALD) and tested via high-throughput screening for catalytic isomerization and selective hydrogenation of propyne. Cu and Co were found to be the most active for propyne hydrogenation to propylene, and synergistic bimetallic combinations of Co and Zn, along with standalone Zn and Cd, were established as the most active for conversion to the isomerized product, propadiene. The combination of Co and Zn in NU-1000 diminished the propensity for full hydrogenation to propane as well as coking compared to its individual components. This study highlights the potential for high-throughput screening to survey monometallic and bimetallic cluster combinations that best affect the efficient transformation of small molecules, while discerning mechanistic differences in isomerization and hydrogenation by different metals.

Active Reaction Control of Cu Redox State Based on Real-Time Feedback from In Situ Synchrotron Measurements

We achieve a target material state by using a recursive algorithm to control the material reaction based on real-time feedback on the system chemistry from in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Without human intervention, the algorithm controlled O₂:H₂ gas partial pressures to approach a target average Cu oxidation state of 1+ for γ-Al₂O₃-supported Cu. This approach represents a new paradigm in autonomation for materials discovery and synthesis optimization; instead of iterating the parameters following the conclusion of each of a series of reactions, the iteration cycle has been scaled down to time points during an individual reaction. Application of the proof-of-concept illustrated here, using a feedback loop to couple in situ material characterization and the reaction conditions via a decision-making algorithm, can be readily envisaged in optimizing and understanding a broad range of systems including catalysis.

Nanoconfinement of Molecular Magnesium Borohydride Captured in a Bipyridine-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework

The lower limit of metal hydride nanoconfinement is demonstrated through the coordination of a molecular hydride species to binding sites inside the pores of a metal-organic framework (MOF). Magnesium borohydride, which has a high hydrogen capacity, is incorporated into the pores of UiO-67bpy (Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(bpydc)₆ with bpydc^2- = 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylate) by solvent impregnation. The MOF retained its long-range order, and transmission electron microscopy and elemental mapping confirmed the retention of the crystal morphology and revealed a homogeneous distribution of the hydride within the MOF host. Notably, the B-, N-, and Mg-edge XAS data confirm the coordination of Mg(II) to the N atoms of the chelating bipyridine groups. In situ ¹¹B MAS NMR studies helped elucidate the reaction mechanism and revealed that complete hydrogen release from Mg(BH₄)₂ occurs as low as 200 °C. Sieverts and thermogravimetric measurements indicate an increase in the rate of hydrogen release, with the onset of hydrogen desorption as low as 120 °C, which is approximately 150 °C lower than that of the bulk material. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations support the improved dehydrogenation properties and confirm the drastically lower activation energy for B-H bond dissociation.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Catalysts with Single Metal Sites

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of distinctive porous crystalline materials constructed by metal ions/clusters and organic linkers. Owing to their structural diversity, functional adjustability, and high surface area, different types of MOF-based single metal sites are well exploited, including coordinately unsaturated metal sites from metal nodes and metallolinkers, as well as active metal species immobilized to MOFs. Furthermore, controllable thermal transformation of MOFs can upgrade them to nanomaterials functionalized with active single-atom catalysts (SACs). These unique features of MOFs and their derivatives enable them to serve as a highly versatile platform for catalysis, which has actually been becoming a rapidly developing interdisciplinary research area. In this review, we overview the recent developments of catalysis at single metal sites in MOF-based materials with emphasis on their structures and applications for thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis. We also compare the results and summarize the major insights gained from the works in this review, providing the challenges and prospects in this emerging field.

The Synthesis Science of Targeted Vapor-Phase Metal-Organic Framework Postmodification

The postmodification of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) affords exceedingly high surface area materials with precisely installed chemical features, which provide new opportunities for detailed structure-function correlation in the field of catalysis. Here, we significantly expand upon the number of vapor-phase postmodification processes reported to date through screening a library of atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursors, which span metals across the periodic table and which include ligands from four distinct precursor classes. With a large library of precursors and synthesis conditions, we discern trends in the compatibility of precursor classes for well-behaved ALD in MOFs (AIM) and identify challenges and solutions to more precise postsynthetic modification.

Spectroscopy, microscopy, diffraction and scattering of archetypal MOFs: formation, metal sites in catalysis and thin films

A comprehensive overview of characterization tools for the analysis of well-known metal–organic frameworks and physico-chemical phenomena associated to their applications.

Confinement of atomically defined metal halide sheets in a metal-organic framework

The size-dependent and shape-dependent characteristics that distinguish nanoscale materials from bulk solids arise from constraining the dimensionality of an inorganic structure^1-3. As a consequence, many studies have focused on rationally shaping these materials to influence and enhance their optical, electronic, magnetic and catalytic properties^4-6. Although a select number of stable clusters can typically be synthesized within the nanoscale regime for a specific composition, isolating clusters of a predetermined size and shape remains a challenge, especially for those derived from two-dimensional materials. Here we realize a multidentate coordination environment in a metal-organic framework to stabilize discrete inorganic clusters within a porous crystalline support. We show confined growth of atomically defined nickel(II) bromide, nickel(II) chloride, cobalt(II) chloride and iron(II) chloride sheets through the peripheral coordination of six chelating bipyridine linkers. Notably, confinement within the framework defines the structure and composition of these sheets and facilitates their precise characterization by crystallography. Each metal(II) halide sheet represents a fragment excised from a single layer of the bulk solid structure, and structures obtained at different precursor loadings enable observation of successive stages of sheet assembly. Finally, the isolated sheets exhibit magnetic behaviours distinct from those of the bulk metal halides, including the isolation of ferromagnetically coupled large-spin ground states through the elimination of long-range, interlayer magnetic ordering. Overall, these results demonstrate that the pore environment of a metal-organic framework can be designed to afford precise control over the size, structure and spatial arrangement of inorganic clusters.

Well-Defined Rhodium-Gallium Catalytic Sites in a Metal-Organic Framework: Promoter-Controlled Selectivity in Alkyne Semihydrogenation to E-Alkenes

Promoters are ubiquitous in industrial heterogeneous catalysts. The wider roles of promoters in accelerating catalysis and/or controlling selectivity are, however, not well understood. A model system has been developed where a heterobimetallic active site comprising an active metal (Rh) and a promoter ion (Ga) is preassembled and delivered onto a metal-organic framework (MOF) support, NU-1000. The Rh-Ga sites in NU-1000 selectively catalyze the hydrogenation of acyclic alkynes to E-alkenes. The overall stereoselectivity is complementary to the well-known Lindlar's catalyst, which generates Z-alkenes. The role of the Ga in promoting this unusual selectivity is evidenced by the lack of semihydrogenation selectivity when Ga is absent and only Rh is present in the active site.

Inorganic "Conductive Glass" Approach to Rendering Mesoporous Metal-Organic Frameworks Electronically Conductive and Chemically Responsive

A representative mesoporous metal-organic-framework (MOF) material, NU-1000, has been rendered electronically conductive via a robust inorganic approach that permits retention of MOF crystallinity and porosity. The approach is based on condensed-phase grafting of molecular tin species onto the MOF nodes via irreversible reaction with hydroxyl and aqua ligands presented at the node surface, a self-limiting process termed solvothermal installation (of metal ions) in MOFs (SIM, a solution-phase analog of atomic layer deposition in MOFs). Treatment of the modified MOF with aerated steam at 120 °C converts the grafted tin molecules to tetratin(IV)oxy clusters, with the clusters being sited between insulating pairs of zirconia-like nodes (the zirconium component being key to endowing the parent material with requisite chemical and thermal stability). By introducing new O-H presenting ligands on the modified-MOF node, the high-temperature steam step additionally serves to reset the material to reactive form, thus enabling a second self-limiting tin-grafting step to be run (and after further steam treatment, enabling a third). Difference-envelop-density (DED) analyses of synchrotron-derived X-ray scattering data, with and without installed tin species, show that the clusters formed after one cycle are spatially isolated, but that repetitive SIM cycling adds metal and oxygen ions in a way that enshrouds nodes, links clusters, and yields continuous one-dimensional strands of oxy-tin(IV), oriented exclusively along the c axis of the MOF. Two-probe conductivity measurements show that the parent MOF and the version containing isolated oxy-tin(IV) clusters are electrically insulating, but that the versions featuring continuous strands show an electrical conductivity of 1.8 × 10^-7 S/cm after three Sn-SIM cycles. When combined with interdigitated microelectrodes, the solvent-free and conductive-glass-modified material (three Sn-SIM cycles) displays a substantial and persistent increase in electrical conductivity during exposure to 5% H₂, indicating a role for dissociated H₂ as an electronic dopant. The increase can be repetitively reversed by alternating H₂ with air, illustrating the ability of the conductive MOF to function as a resistive sensor for H₂ and suggesting further potential applications that may capitalize on the combination of high volumetric surface area, high mesoporosity, high chemical and thermal stability, and significant electrical conductivity.

Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous materials with potential applications in gas storage, separations, catalysis, and chemical sensing. Despite numerous advantages, applications of many MOFs are ultimately limited by their stability under harsh conditions. Herein, the recent advances in the field of stable MOFs, covering the fundamental mechanisms of MOF stability, design, and synthesis of stable MOF architectures, and their latest applications are reviewed. First, key factors that affect MOF stability under certain chemical environments are introduced to guide the design of robust structures. This is followed by a short review of synthetic strategies of stable MOFs including modulated synthesis and postsynthetic modifications. Based on the fundamentals of MOF stability, stable MOFs are classified into two categories: high-valency metal-carboxylate frameworks and low-valency metal-azolate frameworks. Along this line, some representative stable MOFs are introduced, their structures are described, and their properties are briefly discussed. The expanded applications of stable MOFs in Lewis/Brønsted acid catalysis, redox catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, gas storage, and sensing are highlighted. Overall, this review is expected to guide the design of stable MOFs by providing insights into existing structures, which could lead to the discovery and development of more advanced functional materials.

Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid Materials and Their Applications

The inherent porous nature and facile tunability of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) make them ideal candidates for use in multiple fields. MOF hybrid materials are derived from existing MOFs hybridized with other materials or small molecules using a variety of techniques. This led to superior performance of the new materials by combining the advantages of MOF components and others. In this review, we discuss several hybridization methods for the preparation of various MOF hybrids with representative examples from the literature. These methods include covalent modifications, noncovalent modifications, and using MOFs as templates or precursors. We also review the applications of the MOF hybrids in the fields of catalysis, drug delivery, gas storage and separation, energy storage, sensing, and others.

Site-Directed Synthesis of Cobalt Oxide Clusters in a Metal-Organic Framework

Direct control over structure and location of catalytic species deposited on amorphous supports represents a formidable challenge in heterogeneous catalysis. In contrast, a structurally well-defined, crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) can be rationally designed using postsynthetic techniques to allow for desired structural or locational changes of deposited metal ions. Herein, naphthalene dicarboxylate linkers are incorporated in the MOF, NU-1000, to block the small cavities where few-atom clusters of cobalt oxide preferentially grow, inducing catalyst deposition toward hitherto ill-favored grafting sites orientated toward NU-1000s mesoporous channels. Despite the different cobalt oxide location, the resulting material is still an active propane oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst at low temperature, reaching a turnover frequency of 0.68 ± 0.05 h^-1 at 230 °C and confirming the utility of MOFs as crystalline supports to guide rational design of catalysts.

Computational Design of Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework Nodes for Catalysis

Recent progress in the synthesis and characterization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has opened the door to an increasing number of possible catalytic applications. The great versatility of MOFs creates a large chemical space, whose thorough experimental examination becomes practically impossible. Therefore, computational modeling is a key tool to support, rationalize, and guide experimental efforts. In this outlook we survey the main methodologies employed to model MOFs for catalysis, and we review selected recent studies on the functionalization of their nodes. We pay special attention to catalytic applications involving natural gas conversion.

Revisiting the structural homogeneity of NU-1000, a Zr-based metal–organic framework

Synthesis and activation of phase-pure and defect-free metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are essential for establishing accurate structure–property relationships.

Fine-Tuning the Activity of Metal-Organic Framework-Supported Cobalt Catalysts for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane

Few-atom cobalt-oxide clusters, when dispersed on a Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF) NU-1000, have been shown to be active for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane at low temperatures (<230 °C), affording a selective and stable propene production catalyst. In our current work, a series of promoter ions with varying Lewis acidity, including Ni(II), Zn(II), Al(III), Ti(IV) and Mo(VI), are anchored as metal-oxide,hydroxide clusters to NU-1000 followed by Co(II) ion deposition, yielding a series of NU-1000-supported bimetallic-oxo,hydroxo,aqua clusters. Using difference envelope density (DED) analyses, the spatial locations of the promoter ions and catalytic cobalt ions are determined. For all samples, the promoter ions are sited between pairs of Zr₆ nodes along the MOF c-axis, whereas the location of the cobalt ions varies with the promoter ions. These NU-1000-supported bimetallic-oxide clusters are active for propane ODH after thermal activation under O₂ to open a cobalt coordination site and to oxidize Co(II) to Co(III), as evidenced by operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Co K-edge. In accord with the decreasing Lewis acidity of the promoter ion, catalytic activity increases in the following order: Mo(VI) < Ti(IV) < Al(III) < Zn(II) < Ni(II). The finding is attributed to increasing ease of formation of Co(III)-O^• species and stabilization of a cobalt(III)-oxyl/propane transition state as the Lewis acidity of the promoter ions decreases. The results point to an increasing ability to fine-tune the structure-dependent activity of MOF-supported heterogeneous catalysts. Coupled with mechanistic studies-computational or experimental-this ability may translate into informed prediction of improved catalysts for propane ODH and other chemical reactions.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Rhenium-Aluminum Oxide Thin Films and ReOx Incorporation in a Metal-Organic Framework

Methyltrioxorhenium (ReO₃Me) is introduced as the first rhenium atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursor and used to grow rhenium-aluminum oxide thin films in combination with trimethylaluminum (TMA-AlMe₃). The growth rate of the smooth Re-Al oxide films, with general stoichiometry Re_xAl_yO_3x, has been monitored by in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and ex situ ellipsometry, and found to be 3.2 Å/cycle. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the mixed valent composition of the film with Re(III) species being the main component. In addition, ReO₃Me has been successfully used to deposit rhenium oxide in NU-1000, a mesoporous zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF). The metalated MOF was found to retain porosity and crystallinity and to be catalytically active for ethene hydrogenation.

Bent Bragg–Laue monochromator for high-energy X-rays

A bent Bragg–Laue monochromator (BLM) is proposed for high-energy X-ray (∼25–60 keV) beamlines. The BLM has the unique feature of bi-directional focusing. A sagittally bent Laue crystal can focus the large horizontal fan of a bending magnet or wiggler source. A meridionally bent Bragg crystal focuses the beam vertically and corrects for the anticlastic bending effects of the Laue crystal. This monochromator geometry relies on the crystal orientations being optimized. It is shown that the focusing condition and Rowland condition can be simultaneously satisfied at a given energy. Detailed ray tracings indicate that a BLM can provide similar energy resolution and higher flux density compared to a sagittally bent double-Laue monochromator configuration. A prototype BLM with a symmetric Bragg crystal and an asymmetric Laue crystal was tested. Matching of the bend radii of the two crystals in the meridional direction was demonstrated. In general, the horizontal acceptance of the sagittally bent Laue crystal is limited by the large curvature. This horizontal BLM acceptance could be increased by translating the Laue crystal along its sagittal bending axis.