Ideal Cage-like Pores for Molecular Sieving of Butane Isomers with High Purity and Record Productivity

n-C4H10 and iso-C4H10 are both important petrochemical raw materials. Considering the coexistence of the isomers in the production process, it is necessary to achieve their efficient separation through an economical way. However, to obtain high-purity n-C4H10 and iso-C4H10 in one-step separation process, developing iso-C4H10-exclusion adsorbents with high n-C4H10 adsorption capacity is crucial. Herein, we report a cage-like MOF (SIFSIX-Cu-TPA) with small windows and large cavities which can selectively allow smaller n-C4H10 enter the pore and accommodate a large amount of n-C4H10 simultaneously. Adsorption isotherms reveal that SIFSIX-Cu-TPA not only completely excludes iso-C4H10 in a wide temperature range, but also exhibits a very high n-C4H10 adsorption capacity of 94.2 cm3 g-1 at 100 kPa and 298 K, which is the highest value among iso-C4H10-exclusion-type adsorbents. Breakthrough experiments show that SIFSIX-Cu-TPA has excellent n/iso-C4H10 separation performance and can achieve a record-high productivity of iso-C4H10 (3.2 mol kg-1) with high purity (>99.95 %) as well as 3.0 mol kg-1 of n-C4H10 (>99 %) in one separation circle. More importantly, SIFSIX-Cu-TPA can realize the efficient separation of butanes at different flow rates, temperatures, as well as under high humid condition, which indicates that SIFSIX-Cu-TPA can be deemed as an ideal platform for industrial butane isomers separation.

Fluorinated MOF-Based Hexafluoropropylene Nanotrap for Highly Efficient Purification of Octafluoropropane Electronic Specialty Gas

High-purity octafluoropropane (C3F8) electronic specialty gas is a key chemical raw material in semiconductor and integrated circuit manufacturing industry, while selective removal of hexafluoropropylene (C3F6) impurity for C3F8 purification is essential but a challenging task. Here we report a fluorinated cage-like MOF Zn-bzc-CF3 (bzc=5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) for C3F6/C3F8 separation. The incorporation of -CF3 groups not only provides suitable pore aperture size for highly efficient size-exclusive C3F6/C3F8 separation, but also creates hydrophobic microenvironments, endowing Zn-bz-CF3 high chemical stability. Remarkably, Zn-bzc-CF3 exhibits high C3F6 adsorption capacity while excluding C3F8, achieving ideal molecular-sieving C3F6/C3F8 separation. Breakthrough experiments show that Zn-bzc-CF3 can efficiently separate C3F6/C3F8 mixture and high-purity C3F8 (99.9 %) can be obtained.

Stepwise Engineering the Pore Aperture of a Cage-like MOF for the Efficient Separation of Isomeric C4 Paraffins under Humid Conditions

The separation of isomeric C4 paraffins is an important task in the petrochemical industry, while current adsorbents undergo a trade-off relationship between selectivity and adsorption capacity. In this work, the pore aperture of a cage-like Zn-bzc (bzc=pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) is tuned by the stepwise installation methyl groups on its narrow aperture to achieve both molecular-sieving separation and high n-C₄ H₁₀ uptake. Notably, the resulting Zn-bzc-2CH₃ (bzc-2CH₃ =3,5-dimethylpyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) can sensitively capture n-C₄ H₁₀ and exclude iso-C₄ H₁₀ , affording molecular-sieving for n-C₄ H₁₀ /iso-C₄ H₁₀ separation and high n-C₄ H₁₀ adsorption capacity (54.3 cm³  g^-1 ). Breakthrough tests prove n-C₄ H₁₀ /iso-C₄ H₁₀ can be efficiently separated and high-purity iso-C₄ H₁₀ (99.99 %) can be collected. Importantly, the hydrophobic microenvironment created by the introduced methyl groups greatly improves the stability of Zn-bzc and significantly eliminates the negative effect of water vapor on gas separation under humid conditions, indicating Zn-bzc-2CH₃ is a new benchmark adsorbent for n-C₄ H₁₀ /iso-C₄ H₁₀ separation.

Tetrahedral M4(μ4-O) Motifs Beyond Zn: Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Oxido-Amidate Clusters via a Transmetalation/Hydrolysis Approach

While zinc μ₄-oxido-centered complexes are widely used as versatile precursors and building units of functional materials, the synthesis of their analogues based on other transition metals is highly underdeveloped. Herein, we present the first efficient systematic approach for the synthesis of homometallic [M₄(μ₄-O)L₆]-type clusters incorporating divalent transition-metal centers, coated by bridging monoanionic organic ligands. As a proof of concept, we prepared a series of charge-neutral metal-oxido benzamidates, [M₄(μ₄-O) (NHCOPh)₆] (M = Fe, Co, Zn), including iron(II) and cobalt(II) clusters not accessible before. The resulting complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Detailed structural analysis showed interesting self-assembly of the tetrahedral clusters into 2D honeycomb-like supramolecular layers driven by hydrogen bonds in the proximal secondary coordination sphere. Moreover, we modeled the magnetic properties of new iron (II) and cobalt (II) clusters, which display a general tendency for antiferromagnetic coupling of the μ₄-O/μ-benzamidate-bridged metal centers. The developed synthetic procedure is potentially easily extensible to other M(II)-oxido systems, which will likely pave the way to new oxido clusters with interesting optoelectronic and self-assembly properties and, as a result, will allow for the development of new functional materials not achievable before.

Metal-organic framework structures of fused hexagonal motifs with cuprophilic interactions of a triangular Cu(I)3(pyrazolate-benzoate) metallo-linker

The reaction of the N,O-heteroditopic bifunctional ligand 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (H2mpba) with Cu(NO3)2·2.5H2O and Zn(NO3)2·4H2O or Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) results in concomitant formation of three bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with...

Supramolecular Isomorphic Dodecanuclear Cobalt Clusters with Same Metal Shell but Different Core Ligands

In this work, we report two supramolecular isomorphic dodecanuclear cobalt complexes, [Co12(mtz)3(L)6(NO3)2(OH)(N3)3]•(OH)3 (1) and [Co12(mtz)3(L)6(NO3)2(OH)(N3)(OAc)]•(OH)4 (2), (Hmtz = 5-Methyl-1H-tetrazole, H2L = 7,7′-(ethane-1,1-diyl) diquinolin-8-ol) crystallizing in space group with the same...

Ligand isomerism fine-tunes structure and stability in zinc complexes of fused pyrazolopyridines

Fused-ring pyrazoles offer a versatile platform for derivitization to give finely tuned and functional ligands in coordination assemblies. Here, we explore the pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine (HL1) and pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine (HL2) backbones and their N-substituted derivatives, using their coordination chemistry with zinc(II) in the solid state and in solution to examine the steric and electronic effects of varying their substitution pattern. The parent heterocycles HL1 and HL2 both generate robust and permanently porous isomeric MOFs on reaction with zinc and a dicarboxylate co-ligand. The subtle geometric change offered by the position of the backbone pyridyl nitrogen atom leads to substantial changes in the pore size and total pore volume, which is reflected in both their surface areas and CO₂ uptake performance. Both materials are also unusually resilient to atmospheric water vapour by virtue of the strong metal-azolate bonding. The isomeric chelating ligands L3-L6, generated by N-arylation of the parent heterocycles with a 2-pyridyl group, each coordinate to zinc to give either mononuclear or polymeric coordination compounds depending on the involvement of the backbone pyridine nitrogen atom. While crystal packing influences based on the steric preferences of the ligands are dominant in the crystalline phase, fluorescence spectroscopy is used to show that the 2H isomers L4 and L6 show distinct coordination behaviour to the 1H isomers L3 and L5, forming competing [ML] and [ML₂] species in soution. The first stability constant for L6 with zinc(II) is an order of magnitude larger than for the other three ligands, suggesting an improved binding strength based on the electron configuration in this isomer. These results show that careful control of remote substitution on fused pyrazole ligands can lead to substantial improvements in the stability of the resulting complexes, with consequences for the design of stable coordination assemblies containining labile metal ions.

Novel Cellulose Triacetate (CTA)/Cellulose Diacetate (CDA) Blend Membranes Enhanced by Amine Functionalized ZIF-8 for CO2 Separation

Currently, cellulose acetate (CA) membranes dominate membrane-based CO₂ separation for natural gas purification due to their economical and green nature. However, their lower CO₂ permeability and ease of plasticization are the drawbacks. To overcome these weaknesses, we have developed high-performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) consisting of cellulose triacetate (CTA), cellulose diacetate (CDA), and amine functionalized zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (NH₂-ZIF-8) for CO₂ separation. The NH₂-ZIF-8 was chosen as a filler because (1) its pore size is between the kinetic diameters of CO₂ and CH₄ and (2) the NH₂ groups attached on the surface of NH₂-ZIF-8 have good affinity with CO₂ molecules. The incorporation of NH₂-ZIF-8 in the CTA/CDA blend matrix improved both the gas separation performance and plasticization resistance. The optimized membrane containing 15 wt.% of NH₂-ZIF-8 had a CO₂ permeability of 11.33 Barrer at 35 °C under the trans-membrane pressure of 5 bar. This is 2-fold higher than the pristine membrane, while showing a superior CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 33. In addition, the former had 106% higher CO₂ plasticization resistance of up to about 21 bar and an impressive mixed gas CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of about 40. Therefore, the newly fabricated MMMs based on the CTA/CDA blend may have great potential for CO₂ separation in the natural gas industry.

Coordination sphere hydrogen bonding as a structural element in metal-organic Frameworks

In the design of new metal-organic frameworks, the constant challenges of framework stability and structural predictability continue to influence ligand choice in favour of well-studied dicarboxylates and similar ligands. However, a small subset of known MOF ligands contains suitable functionality for coordination sphere hydrogen bonding which can provide new opportunities in ligand design. Such interactions may serve to support and rigidity the coordination geometry of mononuclear coordination spheres, as well as providing extra thermodynamic and kinetic stabilisation to meet the challenge of hydrolytic stability in these materials. In this perspective, a collection of pyrazole, amine, amide and carboxylic acid containing species are examined through the lens of (primarily) inner-sphere hydrogen bonding. The influence of these interactions is then related to the overall structure, stability and function of these materials, to provide starting points for harnessing these interactions in future materials design.

Linker Deficiency, Aromatic Ring Fusion, and Electrocatalysis in a Porous Ni8-Pyrazolate Network

The cruciform linker molecule here features two designer functions: the pyrazole donors for framework construction, and the vicinal alkynyl units for benzannulation to form nanographene units into the Ni₈-pyrazolate scaffold. Unlike the full 12 connections of the Ni₈(OH)₄(H₂O)₂ clusters in other Ni₈-pyrazolate networks, significant linker deficiency was observed here, leaving about half of the Ni(II) sites capped by acetate ligands, which can be potentially removed to open the metal sites for reactivity. The crystalline Ni₈-pyrazolate scaffold also retains the crystalline order even after thermal treatments (up to 300 °C) that served to partially graphitize the neighboring alkyne units. The resultant nanographene components enhance the electroactive properties of the porous hosts, achieving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity that rivals that of topical nickel/palladium-enabled materials.

Building a robust 3D Ca-MOF by a new square Ca4O SBU for purification of natural gas

For the first time, a new square Ca4O SBU is introduced into a 3D Ca-MOF, ([MeNH2]2[Ca4O(MTB)2(EtOH)4])·(solvent)n (1), to generate a (4,8)-connected flu-topology structure. Compound 1 exhibits selective adsorption of C3 and C2 hydrocarbons and CO2 over CH4 with especially high IAST selectivities for C3 hydrocarbons over CH4 (at 15/85 and 50/50 ratio) at 298K and 1 bar.

Increase of network hydrophilicity from sql to lvt supramolecular isomers of Cu-MOFs with the bifunctional 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)benzoate linker

A slight difference in the H-bonding of the linker pyrazole-NH group changes the framework hydrophilicity drastically.

Synthesis and characterization of two bifunctional pyrazole-phosphonic acid ligands

The bifunctional compounds 3,5-dimethyl-4-(4-phosphonophenyl)-1H-pyrazole 1 and 4-(4-phosphonophenyl)-1H-pyrazole 2 were synthesized via Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, starting from a Boc-protected pyrazolylboronic acid ester and the iodoarylphosphonate. The target compounds were isolated after acidic hydrolysis in the form of the hydrochloride salts 1 · HCl and 2 · HCl · H2O with a yield of 81% and 86%, respectively. Pd(dppf)Cl2 was found to be superior to Pd(PPh3)4 as a catalyst; dry 1,4-dioxane as a solvent, Cs2CO3 as a base, and no co-ligands were the best found conditions. The alternative routes through iodoarylphosphonate of iodoarylpyrazole, with the crucial steps based on the copper-catalyzed coupling with acetylacetone or the Arbuzov reaction were proven inefficient. The structures of the isolated hydrochloride salts 1 · HCl and 2 · HCl · H2O feature hydrogen-bonded networks involving the chloride anions.

Improving MOF stability: approaches and applications

This review summarizes recent advances in the design and synthesis of stable MOFs and highlights the relationships between the stability and functional applications.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been recognized as one of the most important classes of porous materials due to their unique attributes and chemical versatility. Unfortunately, some MOFs suffer from the drawback of relatively poor stability, which would limit their practical applications. In the recent past, great efforts have been invested in developing strategies to improve the stability of MOFs. In general, stable MOFs possess potential toward a broader range of applications. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the design and synthesis of stable MOFs and MOF-based materials via de novo synthesis and/or post-synthetic structural processing. Also, the relationships between the stability and functional applications of MOFs are highlighted, and finally, the subsisting challenges and the directions that future research in this field may take have been indicated.

MOF transmetalation beyond cation substitution: defective distortion of IRMOF-9 in the spotlight

Zn-to-Co transmetalation of IRMOF-9 introduces major structural changes.

rtl-M-MOFs (M = Cu, Zn) with a T-shaped bifunctional pyrazole-isophthalate ligand showing flexibility and S-shaped Type F-IV sorption isotherms with high saturation uptakes for M = Cu

The flexible, activated MOF rtl-[Cu(HIsa-az-dmpz)] undergoes a reversible phase change into a closed form with gate opening at cryogenic temperatures for N₂ and CO₂.

Synthesis, coordination chemistry and photophysical properties of naphtho-fused pyrazole ligands

The synthesis of two π-extended pyrazole ligands is reported, and their zinc(ii) and copper(ii) complexes are studied spectroscopically and crystallographically, revealing the influence of the fused naphthyl substituent.

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.

CFA-14 – a perfluorinated metal–organic framework with linear 1-D CoII-chains showing temperature dependent spin-chain magnetic ordering

The synthesis and crystal structure of the perfluorinated MOF CFA-14 CoII2(tfpb)(OH)₂ (H₂-tfpb = 1,4-bis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-yl)benzene) are described.

A flexible metal–organic framework with adaptive pores for high column-capacity gas chromatographic separation

A new zinc pyrazolyl-carboxylate framework with multi-mode and adaptive flexibility has been synthesized for efficient gas chromatographic separations.

A combined continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance and DFT calculations of copper-doped 3∞[Cd0.98Cu0.02(prz-trz-ia)] metal–organic framework

Successful combination of EPR and DFT was applied for investigation the novel heteronuclear MOF compounds.

Two isomorphous Co(ii) coordination polymers based on new α,α-disubstituted derivatives of zoledronic acid: synthesis, structures and properties

1D Co(ii) coordination polymers based on new derivatives of zoledronic acid. Spectroscopic and magnetic characterization.

Crystal engineering of a series of complexes and coordination polymers based on pyrazole-carboxylic acid ligands

Three new complexes and two coordination polymers have been synthesized.

Crystal structure of the inverse crown ether tetra-kis-[μ2-bis-(tri-methyl-sil-yl)amido]-μ4-oxido-dicobalt(II)disodium, [Co2Na2{μ2-N(SiMe3)2}4](μ4-O)

The title compound, [Co2Na2{μ2-N(SiMe3)2}4](μ4-O), (I), represents a new entry in the class of inverse crown ethers. In the mol-ecule, each Co atom is formally in the oxidation state +II. The structure contains one half of a unique mol-ecule per asymmetric unit with the central μ4-oxido ligand residing on an inversion center, leading to a planar coordination to the Na and Co atoms. In the crystal, bulky tri-methyl-silyl substituents prevent additional inter-actions with cobalt. However, weak inter-molecular Na⋯H3C-Si inter-actions form an infinite chain along [010]. The structure is isotypic with its Mg, Mn and Zn analogues.

Three metal complexes derived from 3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid: synthesis, crystal structures, luminescence and electrocatalytic properties

[Cd(HMPCA)₂(H₂O)₄] (1), [Co(H₂MPCA)₂(DMF)₂(H₂O)₂]Cl₂(2), and [Cd₃Cl₂(HMPCA)₄(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (3) have been synthesized. As a bifunctional catalyst, complex2exhibited excellent catalytic activity for OER and certain catalytic activity for ORR.