Precise Modulation of CO2 Sorption in Ti8Ce2-Oxo Clusters: Elucidating Lewis Acidity of the Ce Metal Sites and Structural Flexibility

Investigating the structure-property correlation in porous materials is a fundamental and consistent focus in various scientific domains, especially within sorption research. Metal oxide clusters with capping ligands, characterized by intrinsic cavities formed through specific solid-state packing, demonstrate significant potential as versatile platforms for sorption investigations due to their precisely tunable atomic structures and inherent long-range order. This study presents a series of Ti8Ce2-oxo clusters with subtle variations in coordinated linkers and explores their sorption behavior. Notably, Ti8Ce2-BA (BA denotes benzoic acid) manifests a distinctive two-step profile during the CO2 adsorption, accompanied by a hysteresis loop. This observation marks a new instance within the metal oxide cluster field. Of intrigue, the presence of unsaturated Ce(IV) sites was found to be correlated with the stepped sorption property. Moreover, the introduction of an electrophilic fluorine atom, positioned ortho or para to the benzoic acid, facilitated precise control over gate pressure and stepped sorption quantities. Advanced in situ techniques systematically unraveled the underlying mechanism behind this unique sorption behavior. The findings elucidate that robust Lewis base-acid interactions are established between the CO2 molecules and Ce ions, consequently altering the conformation of coordinated linkers. Conversely, the F atoms primarily contribute to gate pressure variation by influencing the Lewis acidity of the Ce sites. This research advances the understanding in fabricating metal-oxo clusters with structural flexibility and provides profound insights into their host-guest interaction motifs. These insights hold substantial promise across diverse fields and offer valuable guidance for future adsorbent designs grounded in fundamental theories of structure-property relationships.

An adsorbate biased dynamic 3D porous framework for inverse CO2 sieving over C2H2

Separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from acetylene (C2H2) is one of the most critical and complex industrial separations due to similarities in physicochemical properties and molecular dimensions. Herein, we report a novel Ni-based three-dimensional framework {[Ni4(μ3-OH)2(μ2-OH2)2(1,4-ndc)3](3H2O)}n (1,4-ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate) with a one-dimensional pore channel (3.05 × 3.57 Å2), that perfectly matches with the molecular size of CO2 and C2H2. The dehydrated framework shows structural transformation, decorated with an unsaturated Ni(ii) centre and pendant oxygen atoms. The dynamic nature of the framework is evident by displaying a multistep gate opening type CO2 adsorption at 195, 273, and 298 K, but not for C2H2. The real time breakthrough gas separation experiments reveal a rarely attempted inverse CO2 selectivity over C2H2, attributed to open metal sites with a perfect pore aperture. This is supported by crystallographic analysis, in situ spectroscopic inspection, and selectivity approximations. In situ DRIFTS measurements and DFT-based theoretical calculations confirm CO2 binding sites are coordinatively unsaturated Ni(ii) and carboxylate oxygen atoms, and highlight the influence of multiple adsorption sites.

Translocation and Confinement of Tetraamines in Adaptable Microporous Cavities

Metal-Organic Frameworks can be grafted with amines by coordination to metal vacancies to create amine-appended solid adsorbents, which are being considered as an alternative to using aqueous amine solutions for CO2 capture. In this study, we propose an alternative mechanism that does not rely on the use of neutral metal vacancies as binding sites but is enabled by the structural adaptability of heterobimetallic Ti2Ca2 clusters. The combination of hard (Ti4+) and soft (Ca2+) metal centers in the inorganic nodes of the framework enables MUV-10 to adapt its pore windows to the presence of triethylenetetramine molecules. This dynamic cluster response facilitates the translocation and binding of tetraamine inside the microporous cavities to enable the formation of bis-coordinate adducts that are stable in water. The extension of this grafting concept from MUV-10 to larger cavities not restrictive to CO2 diffusion will complement other strategies available for the design of molecular sorbents for decarbonization applications.

Three-Dimensional Visualization of Adsorption Distribution in a Single Crystalline Particle of a Metal-Organic Framework

Many unique adsorption properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been revealed by diffraction crystallography, visualizing their vacant and guest-loaded crystal structures at the molecular scale. However, it has been challenging to see the spatial distribution of the adsorption behaviors throughout a single MOF particle in a transient equilibrium state. Here, we report three-dimensional (3D) visualization of molecular adsorption behaviors in a single crystalline particle of a MOF by in situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy combined with computed tomography for the first time. The 3D maps of water-coordinated Co sites in a 100 μm-scale MOF-74-Co crystal were obtained with 1 μm spatial resolution under several water vapor pressures. Through the visualization of the water vapor adsorption process, 3D spectroimaging revealed the mechanism and spatial heterogeneity of guest adsorption inside a single particle of a crystalline MOF.

Water-stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): rational construction and carbon dioxide capture

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered to be a promising porous material due to their excellent porosity and chemical tailorability. However, due to the relatively weak strength of coordination bonds, the stability (e.g., water stability) of MOFs is usually poor, which severely inhibits their practical applications. To prepare water-stable MOFs, several important strategies such as increasing the bonding strength of building units and introducing hydrophobic units have been proposed, and many MOFs with excellent water stability have been prepared. Carbon dioxide not only causes a range of climate and health problems but also is a by-product of some important chemicals (e.g., natural gas). Due to their excellent adsorption performances, MOFs are considered as a promising adsorbent that can capture carbon dioxide efficiently and energetically, and many water-stable MOFs have been used to capture carbon dioxide in various scenarios, including flue gas decarbonization, direct air capture, and purified crude natural gas. In this review, we first introduce the design and synthesis of water-stable MOFs and then describe their applications in carbon dioxide capture, and finally provide some personal comments on the challenges facing these areas.

Understanding Carbon Monoxide Binding and Interactions in M-MOF-74 (M = Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn)

Small molecules may adsorb strongly in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through interactions with under-coordinated open metal sites (OMS) that often exist within these structures. Among adsorbates, CO is attractive to study both for its relevance in energy-related applications and for its ability to engage in both σ-donation and π-backbonding interactions with the OMS in MOFs. Concomitant with strong adsorption, structural changes arise due to modifications of the electronic structure of both the adsorbate and adsorbent. These structural changes affect the separation performance of materials, and accurately capturing these changes and the resulting energetics is critical for accurate predictive modeling of adsorption. Traditional approaches to modeling using classical force fields typically do not capture or account for changes at the electronic level. To characterize the structural and energetic effects of the local structural changes, we employed density functional theory (DFT) to study CO adsorption in M-MOF-74s. M-MOF-74s feature OMS at which CO is known to adsorb strongly and can be synthesized with a variety of divalent metal cations with distinct performance in adsorption. We considered M-MOF-74s with a range of metals of varied d-band occupations (Mg (3d0), Mn (3d5), Ni (3d8), and Zn (3d10)) with various structural constraints ranging from geometrically constrained adsorbent and adsorbate ions to fully optimized geometries to deconvolute the relative contributions of various structural effects to the adsorption energetics and binding distances observed. Our data indicate that the most significant structural changes during adsorption correlate with the greatest π-backbonding behaviors and commensurately result in a sizable binding energy change observed for CO adsorption. The insights built from this work are relevant to two longstanding research challenges within the MOF community: rational design of materials for separations and the design of force fields capable of accurately modeling adsorption.

Revisiting Competitive Adsorption of Small Molecules in the Metal-Organic Framework Ni-MOF-74

To precisely evaluate the potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for gas separation and purification applications, it is crucial to understand how various molecules competitively adsorb inside MOFs. In this paper, we combine in situ infrared spectroscopy with ab initio calculations to investigate the mechanisms associated with coadsorption of several small molecules, including CO, NO, and CO₂ inside the prototypical structure Ni-MOF-74. Surprisingly, we find that the displacement of CO bound inside Ni-MOF-74 (binding energy of 53 kJ/mol) is readily driven by CO₂ exposure, even though CO₂ has a noticeably weaker binding energy of only 41 kJ/mol; meanwhile, the significantly more strongly binding NO molecule (90 kJ/mol) is not able to easily displace bound CO inside Ni-MOF74. These results show that single-phase binding energies of a molecule inside the MOF cannot completely describe their interaction with the MOF in the presence of other guest molecules. We unveil many crucial factors, such as the kinetic barrier, partial pressure, secondary binding sites, and guest-host/lateral interactions that control the coadsorption process and, combined with the binding energy, are better descriptors of the behavior and adsorption of gas mixtures inside MOFs.

Maneuvering Applications of Covalent Organic Frameworks via Framework-Morphology Modulation

Translating the performance of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) from laboratory to macroscopic reality demands specific morphologies. Thus, the advancement in morphological modulation has recently gained some momentum. A clear understanding of nano- to macroscopic architecture is critical to determine, optimize, and improve performances of this atomically precise porous material. Along with their chemical compositions and molecular frameworks, the prospect of morphology in various applications should be discussed and highlighted. A thorough insight into morphology versus application will help produce better-engineered COFs for practical implications. 2D and 3D frameworks can be transformed into various solids such as nanospheres, thin films, membranes, monoliths, foams, etc., for numerous applications in adsorption, separation photocatalysis, the carbon dioxide reduction, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. However, the research on COF chemistry mainly focuses on correlating structure to property, structure to morphology, and structure to applications. Here, critical insights on various morphological evolution and associated applications are provided. In each case, the underlying role of morphology is unveiled. Toward the end, a correlation between morphology and application is provided for the future development of COFs.

Ligand functionalization of defect-engineered Ni-MOF-74

Incorporating functionality into the framework of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has attracted substantial interest because the physical and chemical properties of MOFs can be tuned by functionalizing pores. The ligand functionalization of MOF-74 is challenging because of its pristine organic ligand and framework structure. Herein, we report a series of ligand-functionalized Ni-MOF-74 derivatives synthesized by defect engineering using a mixed-ligand approach. Defect generation and ligand functionalization of Ni-MOF-74 were simultaneously achieved by incorporation of fragmented organic ligands such as 5-formylsalicylic acid, 3-hydroxysalicylic acid, 2-hydroxynicotinic acid and 5-hydroxy-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid. The resulting defect-engineered Ni-MOF-74 derivatives maintained relatively good crystallinity up to fragment incorporation levels of ∼20% and exhibited modified permanent porosity and CO₂ adsorption properties depending on the functional groups and defect concentrations in the framework.

Engineering Single-Atom Active Sites on Covalent Organic Frameworks for Boosting CO2 Photoreduction

Solar carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion is an emerging solution to meet the challenges of sustainable energy systems and environmental/climate concerns. However, the construction of isolated active sites not only influences catalytic activity but also limits the understanding of the structure-catalyst relationship of CO₂ reduction. Herein, we develop a universal synthetic protocol to fabricate different single-atom metal sites (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ru) anchored on the triazine-based covalent organic framework (SAS/Tr-COF) backbone with the bridging structure of metal-nitrogen-chlorine for high-performance catalytic CO₂ reduction. Remarkably, the as-synthesized Fe SAS/Tr-COF as a representative catalyst achieved an impressive CO generation rate as high as 980.3 μmol g^-1 h^-1 and a selectivity of 96.4%, over approximately 26 times higher than that of the pristine Tr-COF under visible light irradiation. From X-ray absorption fine structure analysis and density functional theory calculations, the superior photocatalytic performance is attributed to the synergic effect of atomically dispersed metal sites and Tr-COF host, decreasing the reaction energy barriers for the formation of *COOH intermediates and promoting CO₂ adsorption and activation as well as CO desorption. This work not only affords rational design of state-of-the-art catalysts at the molecular level but also provides in-depth insights for efficient CO₂ conversion.

Taming structure and modulating carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption isosteric heat of nickel-based metal organic framework (MOF-74(Ni)) for remarkable CO2 capture

Though the highest CO₂ capture capacity belongs to liquid amine-solutions, solid matters capable of CO₂ capture are also highly sought, providing that, they offer at least analogous CO₂ adsorption capacity and CO₂/N₂ selectivity. Herein, a surprisingly high-performance Ni-based metal-organic framework for CO₂ adsorption, namely MOF-74(Ni), was synthesized by a facile condensation reflux approach. It was found that the structure and CO₂ adsorption isosteric heat of MOF-74(Ni) could tune upon varying the synthesis duration under various temperatures. The optimized MOF-74(Ni)-24-140 (synthesized at 140 °C for 24 h) displays outstanding CO₂ adsorption capacity of 8.29/6.61 mmol/g at 273/298 K under normal pressure of 1.0 bar, several times higher than previously reported MOF-74-Ni (2.0/2.1 times), UTSA-16 (1.5/1.6 times), and DA-CMP-1 (3.6/4.9 times) under similar conditions. The excellent CO₂ capture capacity is associated to the abundant adsorption sites (mainly arising from the cationic Ni²⁺ ions) and narrow micropore channels (mainly arising from the cage structure of Ni²⁺ ions coordinated with organic linkers). Offering a high CO₂ selectivity (CO₂/N₂ = 49) and a well-tuned isosteric heat of CO₂ adsorption (27-52 kJ/mol) besides its decent CO₂ capture capacity, MOF-74(Ni) strongly stands out as an efficient and strong CO₂ capturing material with industrial scale applicability.

Correlation between the Metal and Organic Components, Structure Property, and Gas-Adsorption Capacity of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are materials in which metals and organic compounds form crystalline and porous structures. Previous studies have investigated the relationships between the structure properties and physical properties of MOFs through molecular simulations, but the overall relationships in MOFs, including the relationships between the metals and organic components and the experimentally measured physical properties, have not been clarified. In this study, we developed two regression models between three elements in MOFs: the components, structure properties, and gas-adsorption capacities as physical properties. Using a nonlinear regression analysis method, we succeeded in predicting the structure properties from the components and the physical properties from the structure properties.

Triggered and controlled release of active gaseous/volatile compounds for active packaging applications of agri-food products: A review

Gaseous and volatile active compounds are versatile to enhance safety and preserve quality of agri-food products during storage and distribution. However, the use of these compounds is limited by their high vapor pressure and/or chemical instability, especially in active packaging (AP) applications. Various approaches for stabilizing and controlling the release of active gaseous/volatile compounds have been developed, including encapsulation (e.g., into supramolecular matrices, polymer-based films, electrospun nonwovens) and triggered release systems involving precursor technology, thereby allowing their safe and effective use in AP applications. In this review, encapsulation technologies of gases (e.g., CO₂ , ClO₂ , SO₂ , ethylene, 1-methylcyclopropene) and volatiles (e.g., ethanol, ethyl formate, essential oils and their constituents) into different solid matrices, polymeric films, and electrospun nonwovens are reviewed, especially with regard to encapsulation mechanisms and controlled release properties. Recent developments on utilizing precursor compounds of bioactive gases/volatiles to enhance their storage stability and better control their release profiles are discussed. The potential applications of these controlled release systems in AP of agri-food products are presented as well.

From Molecules to Frameworks to Superframework Crystals

Building chemical structures of complexity and functionality approaching the level of biological systems is an ongoing challenge. A general synthetic strategy is proposed by which progressive levels of complexity are achieved through the building block approach whereby molecularly defined constructs at one level serve as constituent units of the next level, all being linked through strong bonds-"augmented reticular chemistry". Specifically, current knowledge of linking metal complexes and organic molecules into reticular frameworks is applied here to linking the crystals of these frameworks into supercrystals (superframeworks). This strategy allows for the molecular control exercised on the molecular regime to be translated into higher augmentation levels to produce systems capable of dynamics and complex functionality far exceeding current materials.

Tuning the Adsorption Properties of Metal-Organic Frameworks through Coadsorbed Ammonia

In this work, we report a novel strategy to increase the gas adsorption selectivity of metal organic framework materials by coadsorbing another molecular species. Specifically, we find that addition of tightly bound NH₃ molecules in the well-known metal-organic framework MOF-74 dramatically alters its adsorption behavior of C₂H₂ and C₂H₄. Combining in situ infrared spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we find that-as a result of coadsorbed NH₃ molecules attaching to the open metal sites-C₂H₂ binds more strongly and diffuses much faster than C₂H₄, occupying the available space adjacent to metal-bound NH₃ molecules. Most remarkably, C₂H₄ is now almost completely excluded from entering the MOF once C₂H₂ has been loaded. This finding dispels the widespread belief that strongly coadsorbed species in nanoporous materials always undermine their performance in adsorbing or separating weakly bound target molecules. Furthermore, it suggests a new route to tune the adsorption behavior of MOF materials through harnessing the interactions among coadsorbed guests.

High Pressure In Situ Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction Reveals Turnstile Linker Rotation Upon Room-Temperature Stepped Uptake of Alkanes

The rare availability of suitable single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) structural data allows for the direct interpretation of the response of a framework to gas sorption and may lead to the development of improved functional porous materials. We report an in situ SCXRD structural investigation of a flexible MOF subjected to methane, ethane, propane, and butane gas pressures. Supporting theoretical investigations indicate weak host-guest interactions for the crystallographically modelled gaseous guests and, in addition, reveal that a turnstile mechanism facilitates the transport of alkanes through the seemingly nonporous system. Inflections present in the adsorption isotherms are furthermore rationalized as due to gate-opening, but without the expected creation of new accessible space.

Calcium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Potential Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) built on calcium metal (Ca-MOFs) represent a unique subclass of MOFs featuring high stability, low toxicity, and relatively low density. Ca-MOFs show considerable potential for molecular separations, electronic, magnetic, and biomedical applications, although they are not investigated as extensively as transition metal-based MOFs. Compared to MOFs made of other groups of metals, Ca-MOFs may be particularly advantageous for certain applications such as adsorption and storage of light molecules because of their gravimetric benefit, and drug delivery due to their high biocompatibility. This review intends to provide an overview on the recent development of Ca-MOFs, including their synthesis, crystal structures, important properties, and related applications. Various synthetic methods and techniques, types of building blocks, structure and porosity features, selected physical properties, and potential uses will be discussed and summarized. Representative examples will be illustrated for each type of important applications with a focus on their structure-property relations.

Coupling CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots with Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Reduction

Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into value-added chemical fuels is an appealing approach to address energy crisis and global warming. CsPbBr₃ quantum dots (QDs) are good candidates for CO₂ reduction because of their excellent photoelectric properties, including high molar extinction coefficient, low exciton binding energy, and defect tolerance. However, the pristine CsPbBr₃ QDs generally have low photocatalytic performance mainly due to dominant charge recombination and lack of efficient catalytic sites for CO₂ adsorption/activation. Herein, we report a new photocatalytic system, in which CsPbBr₃ QDs are coupled with covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) for visible-light-driven CO₂ reduction. In this hybrid photocatalytic system, the robust triazine rings and periodical pore structures of CTFs promote the charge separation in CsPbBr₃ and endow them with strong CO₂ adsorption/activation capacity. The resulting photocatalytic system exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity towards CO₂ reduction. This work presents a new photocatalytic system based on CTFs and perovskite QDs for visible-light-driven CO₂ reduction, which highlights the potential of perovskite-based photocatalysts for solar fuel applications.

Recent Progress on Microfine Design of Metal-Organic Frameworks: Structure Regulation and Gas Sorption and Separation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as an important and unique class of functional crystalline hybrid porous materials in the past two decades. Due to their modular structures and adjustable pore system, such distinctive materials have exhibited remarkable prospects in key applications pertaining to adsorption such as gas storage, gas and liquid separations, and trace impurity removal. Evidently, gaining a better understanding of the structure-property relationship offers great potential for the enhancement of a given associated MOF property either by structural adjustments via isoreticular chemistry or by the design and construction of new MOF structures via the practice of reticular chemistry. Correspondingly, the application of isoreticular chemistry paves the way for the microfine design and structure regulation of presented MOFs. Explicitly, the microfine tuning is mainly based on known MOF platforms, focusing on the modification and/or functionalization of a precise part of the MOF structure or pore system, thus providing an effective approach to produce richer pore systems with enhanced performances from a limited number of MOF platforms. Here, the latest progress in this field is highlighted by emphasizing the differences and connections between various methods. Finally, the challenges together with prospects are also discussed.

Effect of Larger Pore Size on the Sorption Properties of Isoreticular Metal-Organic Frameworks with High Number of Open Metal Sites

Four isostructural CPO‐54‐M metal‐organic frameworks based on the larger organic linker 1,5‐dihydroxynaphthalene‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid and divalent cations (M=Mn, Mg, Ni, Co) are shown to be isoreticular to the CPO‐27 (MOF‐74) materials. Desolvated CPO‐54‐Mn contains a very high concentration of open metal sites, which has a pronounced effect on the gas adsorption of N₂, H₂, CO₂ and CO. Initial isosteric heats of adsorption are significantly higher than for MOFs without open metal sites and are slightly higher than for CPO‐27. The plateau of high heat of adsorption decreases earlier in CPO‐54‐Mn as a function of loading per mole than in CPO‐27‐Mn. Cluster and periodic density functional theory based calculations of the adsorbate structures and energetics show that the larger adsorption energy at low loadings, when only open metal sites are occupied, is mainly due to larger contribution of dispersive interactions for the materials with the larger, more electron rich bridging ligand.

Immobilization of a Polar Sulfone Moiety onto the Pore Surface of a Humid-Stable MOF for Highly Efficient CO2 Separation under Dry and Wet Environments through Direct CO2-Sulfone Interactions

The stability of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in moist environments must be taken into consideration for their practical implementations, which has been largely ignored thus far. Herein, we synthesized a new moisture-stable Zn-MOF, {[Zn₂(SDB)₂(L)₂]·2DMA}_n, IITKGP-12, by utilizing a bent organic linker 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H₂SDB) containing a polar sulfone group (-SO₂) and a N, N-donor spacer (L) with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 216 m² g^-1. This material displays greater CO₂ adsorption capacity over N₂ and CH₄ with high IAST selectivity, which is also validated by breakthrough experiments with longer breakthrough times for CO₂. Most importantly, the separation performance is largely unaffected in the presence of moisture of simulated flue gas stream. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) analysis shows the ease of the regeneration process, and the performance was verified for multiple cycles. In order to understand the structure-function relationship at the atomistic level, grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) calculation was performed, indicating that the primary binding site for CO₂ is between the sulfone moieties in IITKGP-12. CO₂ is attracted to the bonded structure (V-shape) of the sulfone moieties in a perpendicular fashion, where C_CO2 is aligned with S, and the CO₂ axis bisects the SO₂ axis. Thus, the strategic approach to immobilize the polar sulfone moiety with a high number of inherent stronger M-N coordination and the absence of coordination unsaturation made this MOF potential toward practical CO₂ separation applications.

Formation of a mixed-valence Cu(i)/Cu(ii) metal-organic framework with the full light spectrum and high selectivity of CO2 photoreduction into CH4

Based upon the hetero-N,O ligand of pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (Hpmc), a new semiconductive Cu(i)/Cu(ii) mixed-valence MOF with the full light spectrum and a novel topology of {4³·6¹²·8⁶}₂{4³·6³}₂{6³}₆{6⁴·8²}₃, {(Cu₄I₄)_2.5[Cu₃(μ₄-O) (μ₃-I) (pmc)₃(Dabco)₃]·2.5DMF·2MeCN}_∞ (NJU-Bai61, NJU-Bai for Nanjing University Bai group; Dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane), was synthesized stepwise. NJU-Bai61 exhibits good water/pH stabilities and a relatively large CO₂ adsorption capacity (29.82 cm³ g⁻¹ at 1 atm, 273 K) and could photocatalyze the reduction of CO₂ into CH₄ without additional photosensitizers and cocatalysts and with a high CH₄ production rate (15.75 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) and a CH₄ selectivity of 72.8%. The CH₄ selectivity is the highest among the reported MOFs in aqueous solution. Experimental data and theoretical calculations further revealed that the Cu₄I₄ cluster may adsorb light to generate photoelectrons and transfer them to its Cu₃OI(CO₂)₃ cluster, and the Cu₃OI(CO₂)₃ cluster could provide active sites to adsorb and reduce CO₂ and deliver sufficient electrons for CO₂ to produce CH₄. This is the first time that the old Cu(i)_xX_yL_z coordination polymers' application has been extended for the photoreduction of CO₂ to CH₄ and this opens up a new platform for the effective photoreduction of CO₂ to CH₄.

A Cu(i)/Cu(ii) MOF with a full light spectrum was synthesized, exhibiting a photocatalytic CO₂-to-CH₄ selectivity of 72.8% in aqueous solution.

Sequencing of metals in multivariate metal-organic frameworks

We mapped the metal sequences within crystals of metal-oxide rods in multivariate metal-organic framework–74 containing mixed combinations of cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn). Atom probe tomography of these crystals revealed the presence of heterogeneous spatial sequences of metal ions that we describe, depending on the metal and synthesis temperature used, as random (Co, Cd, 120°C), short duplicates (Co, Cd, 85°C), long duplicates (Co, Pb, 85°C), and insertions (Co, Mn, 85°C). Three crystals were examined for each sequence type, and the molar fraction of Co among all 12 samples was observed to vary from 0.4 to 0.9, without changing the sequence type. Compared with metal oxides, metal-organic frameworks have high tolerance for coexistence of different metal sizes in their rods and therefore assume various metal sequences.

Covalent organic framework photocatalysts: structures and applications

In the light of increasing energy demand and environmental pollution, it is urgently required to find a clean and renewable energy source. In these years, photocatalysis that uses solar energy for either fuel production, such as hydrogen evolution and hydrocarbon production, or environmental pollutant degradation, has shown great potential to achieve this goal. Among the various photocatalysts, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are very attractive due to their excellent structural regularity, robust framework, inherent porosity and good activity. Thus, many studies have been carried out to investigate the photocatalytic performance of COFs and COF-based photocatalysts. In this critical review, the recent progress and advances of COF photocatalysts are thoroughly presented. Furthermore, diverse linkers between COF building blocks such as boron-containing connections and nitrogen-containing connections are summarised and compared. The morphologies of COFs and several commonly used strategies pertaining to photocatalytic activity are also discussed. Following this, the applications of COF-based photocatalysts are detailed including photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, CO₂ conversion and degradation of environmental contaminants. Finally, a summary and perspective on the opportunities and challenges for the future development of COF and COF-based photocatalysts are given.

Metal-Organic Frameworks of Cu(II) Constructed from Functionalized Ligands for High Capacity H2 and CO2 Gas Adsorption and Catalytic Studies

Two Cu(II)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having paddle-wheel secondary building units (SBUs), namely, 1_Me and 1_ipr, were synthesized solvothermally using two new bent di-isophthalate ligands incorporating different substituents. The MOFs showed high porosity (BET surface area, 2191 m²/g for 1_Me and 1402 m²/g for 1_ipr). For 1_Me, very high CO₂ adsorption (98.5 wt % at 195 K, 42.9 wt % at 273 K, 23.3 wt % at 298 K) at 1 bar was found, while for 1_ipr, it was significantly less (14.3 wt % at 298 K and 1 bar, 54.4 wt % at 298 K at 50 bar). 1_Me exhibited H₂ uptake of 3.2 wt % at 77 K and 1 bar of pressure, which compares well with other benchmark MOFs. For 1_ipr, the H₂ uptake was found to be 2.54 wt % under similar experimental conditions. The significant adsorption of H₂ and CO₂ for 1_Me could be due to the presence of micropores as well as unsaturated metal sites in these MOFs besides the presence of substituents that interact with the gas molecules. The experimental adsorption behavior of the MOFs could be justified by theoretical calculations. Additionally, catalytic conversions of CO₂ and CS₂ into useful chemicals like cyclic carbonates, cyclic trithiocarbonates, and cyclic dithiocarbonates could be achieved.

Emerging trends in porous materials for CO2 capture and conversion

This review highlights the recent progress in porous materials (MOFs, zeolites, POPs, nanoporous carbons, and mesoporous materials) for CO₂ capture and conversion.

Coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (open metal sites) in metal–organic frameworks: design and applications

The defined synthesis of OMS in MOFs is the basis for targeted functionalization through grafting, the coordination of weakly binding species and increased (supramolecular) interactions with guest molecules.

Carbon dioxide induced structural phase transition in metal–organic frameworks CPO-27

The framework of CO₂ saturated CPO-27 is deformed below 110 K into a superstructure of the original honeycomb structure.

CdSe/ZIF-8-x: synthesis and photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance

The photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ is an effective way to solve the greenhouse effect. Different kinds of materials, such as semiconductors, coordination compounds, and bioenzymes, have been widely investigated to increase the efficiency of the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. However, a high selectivity and great stability are still challenges for material scientists. Here, we report for the first time visible light photocatalytic CO₂ reduction by a series of CdSe/ZIF-8 nanocomposites combining the excellent CO₂ adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 and the narrow energy gap of CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The composites show a higher catalytic performance than those of the pure components. Among CdSe/ZIF-8-x (x = n_CdSe/n_ZIF-8), the highest yield (42.317 μmol g⁻¹) for reducing CO₂ to CO in 12 h, was obtained using nanocomposites with a ratio of 0.42 (n_CdSe/n_ZIF-8) within the range of investigation.

CdSe/ZIF-8-x combines the excellent CO₂ adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 and the narrow energy gap of CdSe to show an enhanced CO₂ photoreduction performance.

Metal-Organic Frameworks as Platform for Lewis-Acid-Catalyzed Organic Transformations

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly promising Lewis acid catalysts; they either inherently possess Lewis acid sites (LASs) on it or the LASs can be generated through various post-synthetic methods, the later can be performed in MOFs in a trivial fashion. MOFs are suitable platform for catalysis because of its highly crystalline and porous nature. Moreover, with recent advancements, thermal and chemical stability is not a problem with many MOFs. In this Minireview, an enormous versatility of MOFs, in terms of their microporosity/mesoporosity, size/shape selectivity, chirality, pore size, etc., has been highlighted. These are advantageous for designing and performing various targeted organic transformations. Although, many organic transformations catalyzed by MOFs with LASs have been reported in the recent past. In this Minireview, we have restricted ourselves to four important organic reactions: (i) cyanosilylation, (ii) Diels-Alder reaction, (iii) C-H activation, and (iv) CO₂ -addition. The discussion focuses mostly on the recent reports (42 examples).

Effective CO2 and CO Separation Using [M2(DOBDC)] (M = Mg, Co, Ni) with Unsaturated Metal Sites and Excavation of Their Adsorption Sites

Isostructural [M₂(DOBDC)(EG)₂] (M = Mg, Co, Ni) frameworks are first synthesized by controlling the pH* in the reaction medium. Coordinated ethylene glycols form a hexagonal OH cluster, which works as a template to grow single crystals with high crystallinity. After the liberation of solvated molecules, [M₂(DOBDC)] shows notably higher surface areas than the reported values and completely different CO₂ and CO separation properties depending on the kinds of unsaturated metal. Therefore, breakthrough experiments using a CO₂/CO mixed gas show that Mg-MOF has a longer breakthrough time for CO₂ than for CO, whereas Co/Ni-MOFs have longer breakthrough times for CO than for CO₂. Apart from CO₂ and CO, other gases such as CH₄, H₂, and N₂ were almost not adsorbed at all in these materials at 298 K. To reveal the role of unsaturated metal sites, CO₂ and CO adsorption sites are unequivocally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. One of very interesting discoveries is that there are two CO₂ and CO adsorption positions (sites A and B) in the hexagonal channels. Site A is the unsaturated metal center working as Lewis acidic sites, and site B is the secondary adsorption site located between two A sites. A close inspection of crystal structures reveals that unsaturated Co(II) and Ni(II) sites adsorb both CO₂ and CO, whereas the unsaturated Mg(II) sites strongly capture only CO₂, not CO. Density functional theory calculations elucidate the discrepancy in CO affinity: Co(II) and Ni(II) form strong π-back-donating bonds with CO via electron transfer from the d orbitals of the transition metals to the antibonding molecular orbitals of CO, whereas Mg(II) does not participate in electron transfer or orbital overlap with CO. This observation provides new insight into the synthesis of novel functional materials with high CO₂/CO separation performance.

Partial and Complete Substitution of the 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylate Linker in UiO-66 with 1,4-Naphthalenedicarboxylate: Synthesis, Characterization, and H2-Adsorption Properties

We describe the synthesis and corresponding full characterization of the set of UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (C₆H₄(COOH)₂, hereafter H₂BDC) and 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate (C₁₀H₆(COOH)₂, hereafter H₂NDC) mixed linkers with NDC contents of 0, 25, 50, and 100%. Their structural (powder X-ray diffraction, PXRD), adsorptive (N₂, H₂, and CO₂), vibrational (IR/Raman), and thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis, TGA) properties quantitatively correlate with the NDC content in the material. The UiO-66 phase topology is conserved at all relative fractions of BDC/NDC. The comparison between the synchrotron radiation PXRD and 77 K N₂-adsorption isotherms obtained on the 50:50 BDC/NDC sample and on a mechanical mixture of the pure BDC and NDC samples univocally proves that in the mixed linkers of the MOFs the BDC and NDC linkers are shared in each MOF crystal, discarding the hypothesis of two independent phases, where each crystal contains only BDC or NDC linkers. The careful tuning of the NDC content opens a way for controlled alteration of the sorption properties of the resulting material as testified by the H₂-adsorption experiments, showing that the relative ranking of the materials in H₂ adsorption is different in different equilibrium-pressure ranges: at low pressures, 100NDC is the most efficient sample, while with increasing pressure, its relative performance progressively declines; at high pressures, the ranking follows the BDC content, reflecting the larger internal pore volume available in the MOFs with a higher fraction of smaller linkers. The H₂-adsorption isotherms normalized by the sample Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area show, in the whole pressure range, that the surface-area-specific H₂-adsorption capabilities in UiO-66 MOFs increase progressively with increasing NDC content. Density functional theory calculations, using the hybrid B3LYP exchange correlation functional and quadruple-ζ with four polarization functions (QZ4P) basis set, show that the interaction of H₂ with the H₂NDC linker results in an adsorption energy larger by about 15% with respect to that calculated for adsorption on the H₂BDC linker.