Guest-mediated phase transitions in a flexible pillared-layered metal-organic framework under high-pressure

Chemoselectivity Inversion of Responsive Metal-Organic Frameworks by Particle Size Tuning in the Micrometer Regime

Gated adsorption is one of the unique physical properties of flexible metal-organic frameworks with high application potential in selective adsorption and sensing of molecules. Despite recent studies that have provided some guidelines in understanding and designing structural flexibility for controlling gate opening by chemical modification of the secondary building units, currently, there is no established strategy to design a flexible MOF showing selective gated adsorption for a specific guest molecule. In a present contribution it is demonstrated for the first time, that the selectivity in the gate opening of a particular compound can be tuned, changed, and even reversed using particle size engineering DUT-8(Zn) ([Zn2 (2,6-ndc)2 (dabco)]n , 2,6-ndc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane, DUT = Dresden University of Technology) experiences phase transition from open (op) to closed (cp) pore phase upon removal of solvent from the pores. Microcrystals show selective reopening in the presence of dichloromethane (DCM) over alcohols. Crystal downsizing to micron size unexpectedly reverses the gate opening selectivity, causing DUT-8(Zn) to open its nanosized pores for alcohols but suppressing the responsivity toward DCM.

Pressure-induced postsynthetic cluster anion substitution in a MIL-53 topology scandium metal-organic framework

Postsynthetic modification of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has proven to be a hugely powerful tool to tune physical properties and introduce functionality, by exploiting reactive sites on both the MOF linkers and their inorganic secondary building units (SBUs), and so has facilitated a wide range of applications. Studies into the reactivity of MOF SBUs have focussed solely on removal of neutral coordinating solvents, or direct exchange of linkers such as carboxylates, despite the prevalence of ancillary charge-balancing oxide and hydroxide ligands found in many SBUs. Herein, we show that the μ2-OH ligands in the MIL-53 topology Sc MOF, GUF-1, are labile, and can be substituted for μ2-OCH3 units through reaction with pore-bound methanol molecules in a very rare example of pressure-induced postsynthetic modification. Using comprehensive solid-state NMR spectroscopic analysis, we show an order of magnitude increase in this cluster anion substitution process after exposing bulk samples suspended in methanol to a pressure of 0.8 GPa in a large volume press. Additionally, single crystals compressed in diamond anvil cells with methanol as the pressure-transmitting medium have enabled full structural characterisation of the process across a range of pressures, leading to a quantitative single-crystal to single-crystal conversion at 4.98 GPa. This unexpected SBU reactivity - in this case chemisorption of methanol - has implications across a range of MOF chemistry, from activation of small molecules for heterogeneous catalysis to chemical stability, and we expect cluster anion substitution to be developed into a highly convenient novel method for modifying the internal pore surface and chemistry of a range of porous materials.

Survival of Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Crystallinity at Extreme Pressures

Recent research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has shown a shift from considering only the crystalline high-porosity phases to exploring their amorphous counterparts. Applying pressure to a crystalline MOF is a common method of amorphization, as MOFs contain large void spaces that can collapse, reducing the accessible surface area. This can be either a desired change or indeed an unwanted side effect of the application of pressure. In either case, understanding the MOF's pressure response is extremely important. Three such MOFs with varying pore sizes (UiO-66, MOF-808, and NU-1000) were investigated using in situ high-pressure X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Partial crystallinity was observed in all three MOFs above 10 GPa, along with some recovery of crystallinity on return to ambient conditions if the frameworks were not compressed above thresholds of 13.3, 14.2, and 12.3 GPa for UiO-66, MOF-808, and NU-1000, respectively. This threshold was marked by an unexpected increase in one or more lattice parameters with pressure in all MOFs. Comparison of compressibility between MOFs suggests penetration of the pressure-transmitting oil into MOF-808 and NU-1000. The survival of some crystallinity above 10 GPa in all of these MOFs despite their differing pore sizes and extents of oil penetration demonstrates the importance of high-pressure characterization of known structures.

Vapor Sorption and Halogen-Bond-Induced Solid-Form Rearrangement of a Porous Pharmaceutical

A porous, nonsolvated polymorph of the voltage-gated sodium channel blocker mexiletine hydrochloride absorbs iodine vapor to give a pharmaceutical cocrystal incorporating an I₂Cl^- anion that forms a halogen-π interaction with the mexiletine cations. The most thermodynamically stable form of the compound does not absorb iodine. This example shows that vapor sorption is a potentially useful and underused tool for bringing about changes in pharmaceutical solid form as part of a solid form screening protocol.

Pressure-Induced Structural Effects in the Square Lattice () Topology Coordination Network Sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX

A high-pressure study of a switching coordination network of square lattice topology (sql) loaded with o-xylene (OX), [Co(4,4'-bipyridine)₂(NCS)₂] _n ·4nC₈H₁₀ (sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX), was conducted up to approximately 1 GPa to investigate pressure-induced structural changes. Previous reports revealed that sql-1-Co-NCS exhibits multiple phases thanks to its ability to switch between closed (nonporous) and several open (porous) phases in the presence of various gases, vapors, and liquids. Networks of such properties are of topical interest because they can offer high working capacity and improved recyclability for gas adsorption. The monoclinic crystal structure of sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX at 100 K was previously reported to show an increase in interlayer separation of more than 100% compared to the corresponding closed phase, sql-1-Co-NCS, when exposed to gases or vapors under ambient conditions. Herein, a tetragonal crystal form of sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX (space group I4/mmm, Phase I) that exists at 0.1 MPa/303 K is reported. Exposure of Phase I to high pressure using penetrable pressure transmitting media (OX and 1:1 vol MeOH/EtOH) did not result in further separation of the sql networks. Rather, compression of the crystals and release of adsorbed OX molecules occurred. These pressure-induced changes are discussed in terms of structural voids, framework conformation, and molecular packing of the sql layers. Although Phase I retained tetragonal symmetry throughout the investigated pressure range, the interlayer voids occupied by OX molecules were significantly reduced between 0.3 and 0.5 GPa; further compression above 0.5 GPa induced structural disorder. Additionally, analysis of the electron count present in the pores of sql-1-Co-NCS confirmed the multistep evacuation of OX molecules from the crystal, and two intermediate phases, Ia and Ib, differing in the OX loading level, are postulated.

Pressure and guest-mediated pore shape modification in a small pore MOF to 1200 bar

Guest-mediated pore-shape modification of the metal-organic framework, Sc₂BDC₃ upon adsorption of n-pentane and isopentane is examined from 50-1200 bar. Rotation of the BDC linker responsible for the change in pore shape occurs at much lower pressures than previously reported, with distinct adsorption behaviour observed between pentane isomers.

Tuning the High‐Pressure Phase Behaviour of Highly Compressible Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks: From Discontinuous to Continuous Pore Closure by Linker Substitution

The high‐pressure behaviour of flexible zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) of the ZIF‐62 family with the chemical composition M(im)_2−x(bim)_x is presented (M²⁺=Zn²⁺, Co²⁺; im⁻=imidazolate; bim⁻=benzimidazolate, 0.02≤x≤0.37). High‐pressure powder X‐ray diffraction shows that the materials contract reversibly from an open pore (op) to a closed pore (cp) phase under a hydrostatic pressure of up to 4000 bar. Sequentially increasing the bim⁻ fraction (x) reinforces the framework, leading to an increased threshold pressure for the op‐to‐cp phase transition, while the total volume contraction across the transition decreases. Most importantly, the typical discontinuous op‐to‐cp transition (first order) changes to an unusual continuous transition (second order) for x≥0.35. This allows finetuning of the void volume and the pore size of the material continuously by adjusting the pressure, thus opening new possibilities for MOFs in pressure‐switchable devices, membranes, and actuators.