Partial-Interpenetration-Controlled UiO-Type Metal-Organic Framework and its Catalytic Activity

An unprecedented correlation between the catalytic activity of a Zr-based UiO-type metal-organic framework (MOF) and its degree of interpenetration (DOI) is reported. The DOI of an MOF is hard to control owing to the high-energy penalty required to construct a partially interpenetrated structure. Surprisingly, strong interactions between building blocks (inter-ligand hydrogen bonding) facilitate the formation of partially interpenetrated structures under carefully regulated synthesis conditions. Moreover, catalytic conversion rates for cyanosilylation and Knoevenagel condensation reactions are found to be proportional to the DOI of the MOF. Among MOFs with DOIs in the 0-100% range, that with a DOI of 87% is the most catalytically active. Framework interpenetration is known to lower catalytic performance by impeding reactant diffusion. A higher effective reactant concentration due to tight inclusion in the interpenetrated region is possibly responsible for this inverted result.

Hetero-interpenetrated metal-organic frameworks

Interpenetrated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) comprise two or more lattices that are mutually entangled. Interpenetration can be used to tune the structures and pore architectures of MOFs to influence, for example, their stability or interactions with guest molecules. The interpenetrating sublattices are typically identical, but hetero-interpenetrated MOFs, which consist of sublattices that are different from one another, have also been serendipitously produced. Here we describe a strategy for the deliberate synthesis of hetero-interpenetrated MOFs. We use the cubic α-MUF-9 framework as a host sublattice to template the growth of a second sublattice within its pores. Three different secondary sublattices are grown-two of which are not known as standalone MOFs-leading to three different hetero-interpenetrated MOFs. This strategy may serve to combine different properties into one material. We produce an asymmetric catalysis by allocating separate roles to the interpenetrating sublattices in a hetero-interpenetrated MOF: an achiral secondary amine on one sublattice provides the catalytic activity, while the chiral α-MUF-10 host imparts asymmetry to aldol and Henry reactions.

Deinterpenetration of IRMOF-9

One of the iconic characteristics of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is the possesssion of guest-accessible pores. Increasing pore size has a direct and often beneficial impact on a MOF's adsorption and separation properties. However, as pore size increases, the resulting void spaces are often filled by interpenetrated frameworks, where one or more networks crystallize within the pore system of another identical network, reducing the MOF's free volume and pore size. Furthermore, due to the thermodynamic favorability of interpenetration during solvothermal synthesis, techniques to synthetically differentiate interpenetrated from non-interpenetrated MOFs are paramount. This study reports the synthesis of deinterpenetrated IRMOF-9 via halide mediated deinterpenetrative conversion of Zn4 O-derived IRMOF-9. IRMOF-9, when treated with ethylammonium bromide, is quasi-selectively etched, revealing the non-interpenetrated analogue, IRMOF-10 (deinterpenetrated IRMOF-9), which can be isolated prior to complete dissolution by the bromide solution. Dye adsorption, surface area and pore size distribution analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction are consistent with successful deinterpenetration.

Fluorinated metal-organic frameworks for gas separation

Fluorinated metal-organic frameworks (F-MOFs) as fast-growing porous materials have revolutionized the field of gas separation due to their tunable pore apertures, appealing chemical features, and excellent stability. A deep understanding of their structure-performance relationships is critical for the synthesis and development of new F-MOFs. This critical review has focused on several strategies for the precise design and synthesis of new F-MOFs with structures tuned for specific gas separation purposes. First, the basic principles and concepts of F-MOFs as well as their structure, synthesis and modification and their structure to property relationships are studied. Then, applications of F-MOFs in adsorption and membrane gas separation are discussed. A detailed account of the design and capabilities of F-MOFs for the adsorption of various gases and the governing principles is provided. In addition, the exceptional characteristics of highly stable F-MOFs with engineered pore size and tuned structures are put into perspective to fabricate selective membranes for gas separation. Systematic analysis of the position of F-MOFs in gas separation revealed that F-MOFs are benchmark materials in most of the challenging gas separations. The outlook and future directions of the science and engineering of F-MOFs and their challenges are highlighted to tackle the issues of overcoming the trade-off between capacity/permeability and selectivity for a serious move towards industrialization.

Thermal decomposition of hybrid ultramicroporous materials (HUMs)

Hybrid Ultramicroporous Materials (HUMs) are porous coordination materials with exemplary gas sorption and separation characteristics, but relatively poor thermal stability when compared to other porous coordination polymers or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The origin of this poor thermal stability has not yet been experimentally verified. Therefore, we investigate the thermal decomposition mechanisms of representative HUMs with the general formulae [M(SiF₆)(L)₂] or [M(SiF₆)(L)(H₂O)₂], where M = Ni(ii), Cu(ii) or Zn(ii) and L = pyrazine or 4,4'-bipyridine. We find that two decomposition mechanisms dominate: (i) the fragmentation of the XF₆^2- pillar into gaseous XF₄ and fluoride, and (ii) direct sublimation of the N-donor ligand. The former process dictates the overall thermal stability of the material. We also demonstrate that HF is a possible decomposition product from certain hydrated HUM materials.

Simultaneous interlayer and intralayer space control in two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks for acetylene/ethylene separation

Three-dimensional metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) are cutting-edge materials in the adsorptive removal of trace gases due to the availability of abundant pores with specific chemistry. However, the development of ideal adsorbents combining high adsorption capacity with high selectivity and stability remains challenging. Here we demonstrate a strategy to design adsorbents that utilizes the tunability of interlayer and intralayer space of two-dimensional fluorinated MOFs for capturing acetylene from ethylene. Validated by X-ray diffraction and modeling, a systematic variation of linker atom oxidation state enables fine regulation of layer stacking pattern and linker conformation, which affords a strong interlayer trapping of molecules along with cooperative intralayer binding. The resultant robust materials (ZUL-100 and ZUL-200) exhibit benchmark capacity in the pressure range of 0.001–0.05 bar with high selectivity. Their efficiency in acetylene/ethylene separation is confirmed by breakthrough experiments, giving excellent ethylene productivities (121 mmol/g from 1/99 mixture, 99.9999%), even when cycled under moist conditions.

Designing efficient adsorbents for trace gas removal remains a serious challenge. Here, the authors show promise in layered 2D metal−organic frameworks, often overlooked in favor of 3D frameworks, for separating trace acetylene from ethylene with enhanced performance and high stability.

Investigating greenhouse gas adsorption in MOFs SIFSIX-2-Cu, SIFSIX-2-Cu-i, and SIFSIX-3-Cu through computational studies

The selective adsorption of CO₂ in mixture with other greenhouse gases by porous materials is challenging and it has several consequences from the environmental and economic point of view. We carried out DFT calculations with periodic boundary conditions and plane waves basis set to better understand the adsorption of CO₂, CO, CH₄, N₂, O₂, and H₂ within the pore of the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) SIFSIX-2-Cu, SIFSIX-2-Cu-i, and SIFSIX-3-Cu. These porous materials have a copper ion coordinated to an organic linker and the inorganic SiF₆^2- pillar, and they show a remarkable CO₂ uptake. Our results show that the adsorption occurs preferentially close to the inorganic pillar SiF₆, which polarizes the gas molecule, increasing the electrostatic contribution to the interaction. The adsorption strength correlates with the size of the pore, and it is stronger in the smaller porous of SIFSIX-3-Cu for all gases. The successive loading of CO₂ in a T-shape form inside the porous indicates a synergic polarization effect, increasing the adsorption energy in SIFSIX-2-Cu and SIFSIX-2-Cu-i, but not in SIFSIX-3-Cu. For all materials, we observe the following order in the adsorption energy: CO₂ > CH₄ > CO > N₂ > O₂ > H₂, suggesting that a thermodynamic separation could be possible; however, kinetic effects are also important in SIFSIX-3-Cu. Graphical abstract.

Microporous Metal-Organic Framework with a Completely Reversed Adsorption Relationship for C2 Hydrocarbons at Room Temperature

As a new type of porous material, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely studied in gas adsorption and separation, especially in C₂ hydrocarbons. Considering the stronger interaction between the unsaturated molecules and the metal sites, and the smaller molecular size of unsaturated molecules, the usual relationship of affinities and adsorption capacities among C₂ hydrocarbons in most common MOFs is C₂H₂ > C₂H₄ > C₂H₆. Herein, a unique microporous metal-organic framework, NUM-7a (activated NUM-7), with a completely reversed adsorption relationship for C₂ hydrocarbons (C₂H₆ > C₂H₄ > C₂H₂) has been successfully synthesized, which breaks the traditional concept of the adsorption relationship of MOFs for C₂ hydrocarbons. Based on this unique adsorption relationship, a green and simple one-step separation purification for a large amount of C₂H₄ can be expected to be achieved through the selective adsorption of C₂H₆. In addition, NUM-7a also shows good selectivities in C₂H₂/CO₂ and CO₂/CH₄.

Solid Sorbents as a Retrofit Technology for CO2 Removal from Natural Gas Under High Pressure and Temperature Conditions

The capture of CO₂ under high pressure and temperature is challenging and is required in a number for industrial applications including natural gas processing. In this work, we examine the use of benchmark hybrid ultraporous materials HUMs for their potential use in CO₂ adsorption processes under high-pressure conditions, with three varying temperatures (283, 298 and 318 K). NbOFFOVE-1-Ni and SIFSIX-3-Ni were the selected HUMs given their established superior CO₂ capacity under low pressure (0–1 bar). Both are microporous with highly ordered crystalline structures as compared to the mesoporous hexagonal silica (Santa Barbara Anhydrous-15 (SBA-15)). SBA-15 was previously tested for both low and high-pressure applications and can serve as a benchmark in this study. Sorbent characterization using XRD, SEM, FTIR and N₂ adsorption were conducted to assure the purity and structure of the sorbents. TGA analysis were conducted to establish the thermal stability of the sorbents under various temperatures. High-pressure CO₂ adsorption was conducted from 0–35 bar using magnetic suspension balance (Rubotherm). Although the SBA-15 had the highest surface (527 m³/g) are of the three adsorbents, the CO₂ adsorption capacity (0.42 mmol/g) was an order of magnitude less than the studies HUMs with SIFSIX-3-Ni having 2.6 mmol/g, NbOFFIVE-1-Ni achieving 2.5 mmol/g at 298 K. Multistage adsorption isotherms were obtained at different pressures. In addition, results indicate that electrostatics in HUMs are most effective at improving isosteric heat of adsorption Q_st and CO₂ uptake. Higher temperatures had negative effect on adsorption capacity for the HUMs and SBA-15 at pressures between 7–9 bar. In SAB-15 the effect of temperature is reversed in what is known as a cross over phenomena.

Solvent-dependent supramolecular self-assembly of boron cage pillared metal–organic frameworks for selective gas separation

A family of microporous boron cage pillared supramolecular metal–organic frameworks are synthesized with the self-assembly behavior controlled by solvents. Interpenetrated BSF-4 is potential for highly selective C₂H₂/C₂H₄ and C₂H₂/CO₂ separation.

A historical overview of the activation and porosity of metal–organic frameworks

A historical overview of the activation and porosity of MOFs including strategies to design and preserve permanent porosity in MOFs.

Influence of interpenetration on the flexibility of MUV-2

The crystal structure of an interpenetrated tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based metal–organic framework (MOF) is reported.