Pore topology analysis in porous molecular systems

Porous molecular materials are constructed from molecules that assemble in the solid-state such that there are cavities or an interconnected pore network. It is challenging to control the assembly of these systems, as the interactions between the molecules are generally weak, and subtle changes in the molecular structure can lead to vastly different intermolecular interactions and subsequently different crystal packing arrangements. Similarly, the use of different solvents for crystallization, or the introduction of solvent vapour, can result in different polymorphs and pore networks being formed. It is difficult to uniquely describe the pore networks formed, and thus we analyse 1033 crystal structures of porous molecular systems to determine the underlying topology of their void spaces and potential guest diffusion networks. Material-agnostic topology definitions are applied. We use the underlying topological nets to examine whether it is possible to apply isoreticular design principles to porous molecular materials. Overall, our automatic analysis of a large dataset gives a general insight into the relationships between molecular topologies and the topological nets of their pore network. We show that while porous molecular systems tend to pack similarly to non-porous molecules, the topologies of their pore distributions resemble those of more prominent porous materials, such as metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks.

Chiral Motifs in Highly Interpenetrated Metal-Organic Frameworks Formed from Achiral Tetrahedral Ligands

Formation of highly interpenetrated frameworks is demonstrated. An interesting observation is the presence of very large adamantane-shaped cages in a single network, making these crystals new entries in the collection of diamondoid-type metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The frameworks were constructed by assembling tetrahedral pyridine ligands and copper dichloride. Currently, the networks' degree of interpenetration is among the highest reported and increases when the size of the ligand is increased. Highly interpenetrated frameworks typically have low surface contact areas. In contrast, in our systems, the voids take up to 63 % of the unit cell volume. The MOFs have chiral features but are formed from achiral components. The chirality is manifested by the coordination chemistry around the metal center, the structure of the helicoidal channels, and the motifs of the individual networks. Channels of both handednesses are present within the unit cells. This phenomenon shapes the walls of the channels, which are composed of 10, 16, or 32 chains correlated with the degree of interpenetration 10-, 16-, and 32-fold, respectively. By changing the distance between the center of the ligand and the coordination moieties, we succeeded in tuning the diameter of the channels. Relatively large channels were formed, having diameters up to 31.0 Å×14.8 Å.

Design and synthesis of new luminescent coordination networks of topology showing the highest degrees of interpenetration

The highest degree of interpenetration reported so far of 7- and 8-fold is realized in two luminescent sql 2D networks by self-assembly of a new nanometric-sized ligand with Ag(i) salts.

Design and Synthesis of Coordination Polymers with Cu(II) and Heterocyclic N-Oxides

The relations of coordination network connectivity with coordination properties of heterocyclic N-oxides, Cu(I,II), and co-ligands were discussed based on the comparative analysis of 623 structures extracted from the Cambridge Structural...

Topological transformations in metal–organic frameworks: a prospective design route?

We apply a topological approach based on the underlying net and transformation pattern concepts as well as on the ‘supernet–subnet’ formalism to uncover mechanisms of solid-state transformations in coordination polymers and metal–organic frameworks.

Metallization-Prompted Robust Porphyrin-Based Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Under topological guidance, the self-assembly process based on a tetratopic porphyrin synthon results in a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with the predicted square layers topology (sql) but unsatisfied stability. Strikingly, simply introducing a transition metal in the porphyrin center does not change the network topology but drastically causes noticeable change on noncovalent interaction, orbital overlap, and molecular geometry, therefore ultimately giving rise to a series of metalloporphyrinic HOFs with high surface area, and excellent stability (intact after being soaked in boiling water, concentrated HCl, and heated to 270 °C). On integrating both photosensitizers and catalytic sites into robust backbones, this series of HOFs can effectively catalyze the photoreduction of CO₂ to CO, and their catalytic performances greatly depend on the chelated metal species in the porphyrin centers. This work enriches the library of stable functional HOFs and expands their applications in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.

Visualization and Quantification of Geometric Diversity in Metal-Organic Frameworks

With ever-growing numbers of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials being reported, new computational approaches are required for a quantitative understanding of structure-property correlations in MOFs. Here, we show how structural coarse-graining and embedding ("unsupervised learning") schemes can together give new insights into the geometric diversity of MOF structures. Based on a curated data set of 1262 reported experimental structures, we automatically generate coarse-grained and rescaled representations which we couple to a kernel-based similarity metric and to widely used embedding schemes. This approach allows us to visualize the breadth of geometric diversity within individual topologies and to quantify the distributions of local and global similarities across the structural space of MOFs. The methodology is implemented in an openly available Python package and is expected to be useful in future high-throughput studies.

Coordination Properties of Hydroxyisophthalic Acids: Topological Correlations, Synthesis, Structural Analysis, and Properties of New Complexes

Hydroxyisophthalic acids are valuable polytopic ligands for the design of functional materials based on coordination polymers due to the variety of charges and coordination modes they possess. Herein, we describe the synthesis, thermal stability, nonlinear optical (NLO) and spectroscopic properties of five novel coordination compounds, [K₂ L(H₂ O)₂ ], [MgL(H₂ O)₂ ] ⋅ 3H₂ O, [CaL(H₂ O)₃ ], [SrL(H₂ O)₃ ] ⋅ H₂ O, [BaL(H₂ O)(H₂ O)₅ ], and one salt, (NH₄ )₂ L ⋅ 2H₂ O, with 4,5,6-trihydroxyisophthalic acid (H₂ L), which has not been tested in assembling crystalline coordination networks before. The peculiarities of the structural organization of the compounds were analyzed and compared with those for other hydroxyisophthalates. The coordination properties of hydroxyisophthalic acids were studied from the topological point of view, and a comparative topological analysis of coordination and H-bonded networks was performed. Structural correlations revealed in this study could be useful for the design of hydroxyisophthalate-based coordination networks, including porous metal-organic frameworks, proton conductors, and NLO materials.

Solid-state 1D → 3D transformation of polynitrile-based coordination polymers by dehydration reaction

In crystal structures of two chain coordination polymers [M(tcnopr3OH)₂(H₂O)₂] (M = Ni^II and Co^II; tcnopr3OH^- = [(NC)₂CC(O(CH₂)₃OH)C(CN)₂]^-) based on a N,O or N,N'-bridge polynitrile ligand, the parallel chains are connected via, respectively, C[triple bond, length as m-dash]NH-O and O-HO hydrogen bonds between uncoordinated functional groups of the ligand and coordinated water molecules. Upon heating, both solids undergo dehydration accompanied by degradation of their single crystals. Powder X-ray diffraction showed that non-isostructural triclinic single crystals transformed to isostructural monoclinic compounds. The solid-state reaction yielded 3D coordination polymers [M(tcnopr3OH)₂] (M = Ni^II and Co^II) based on a N,N',O-connected tcnopr3OH^-. Although previously tens of complexes based on tcnopr3OH and similar anions were synthesized and X-ray characterized, none of these contain a tridentate polynitrile ligand. Thus, this study provides evidence that solid-state reactions allow obtaining novel coordination modes of polynitrile ligands. The possible pathways for the transformation of H-bonded networks to 3D coordination polymers are discussed on the basis of the topological approach. Applicability of the topological approach to predict possible networks of solid-state reaction products based on the crystal structures of initial compounds is demonstrated.

Record Complexity in the Polycatenation of Three Porous Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks with Stepwise Adsorption Behaviors

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) show great potential in many applications, but few structure-property correlations have been explored in this field. In this work, we report that self-assembly of a rigid and planar ligand gives rise to flat hexagonal honeycomb motifs which are extended into undulated two-dimensional (2D) layers and finally generate three polycatenated HOFs with record complexity. This kind of undulation is absent in the 2D layers built from a very similar but nonplanar ligand, indicating that a slight torsion of ligand produces overwhelming structural change. This change delivers materials with unique stepwise adsorption behaviors under a certain pressure originating from the movement between mutually interwoven hexagonal networks. Meanwhile, high chemical stability, phase transformation, and preferential adsorption of aromatic compounds were observed in these HOFs. The results presented in this work would help us to understand the self-assembly behaviors of HOFs and shed light on the rational design of HOF materials for practical applications.

Topology versus porosity: what can reticular chemistry tell us about free space in metal–organic frameworks?

We analyse 3D coordination networks in 33 790 coordination polymers and discuss relations between their topological and porosity properties.

Diverse π-π stacking motifs modulate electrical conductivity in tetrathiafulvalene-based metal-organic frameworks

We report three electrically conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on a tetrathiafulvalene linker and La3+. Depending on the solvent ratios and temperatures used in their solvothermal synthesis, these MOFs crystallize with different topologies containing distinct π-π stacking sequences of the ligand. Notably, their transport properties correlate rationally with the stacking motifs: longer S···S contact distances between adjacent ligands coincide with lower electrical conductivities and higher activation energies. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopic measurements reveal ligand-based intervalence charge transfer bands in each phase, implicating charge delocalization among mixed-valent tetrathiafulvalene units as the dominant mode of transport. Overall, these frameworks demonstrate how tuning the intermolecular interactions in MOFs serves as a route towards controlling their physical properties.

Variation of topologies and entanglements in metal–organic frameworks with mixed tris[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]phosphine oxide and dicarboxylate ligands

Six metal–organic frameworks with variation of topologies and entanglements have been successfully synthesized with mixed tris[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]phosphine oxide and dicarboxylate ligands.

Topologically guided tuning of Zr-MOF pore structures for highly selective separation of C6 alkane isomers

As an alternative technology to energy intensive distillations, adsorptive separation by porous solids offers lower energy cost and higher efficiency. Herein we report a topology-directed design and synthesis of a series of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks with optimized pore structure for efficient separation of C6 alkane isomers, a critical step in the petroleum refining process to produce gasoline with high octane rating. Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(bptc)₃ adsorbs a large amount of n-hexane but excluding branched isomers. The n-hexane uptake is ~70% higher than that of a benchmark adsorbent, zeolite-5A. A derivative structure, Zr₆O₄(OH)₈(H₂O)₄(abtc)₂, is capable of discriminating all three C6 isomers and yielding a high separation factor for 3-methylpentane over 2,3-dimethylbutane. This property is critical for producing gasoline with further improved quality. Multicomponent breakthrough experiments provide a quantitative measure of the capability of these materials for separation of C6 alkane isomers. A detailed structural analysis reveals the unique topology, connectivity and relationship of these compounds.

The separation of C6 alkane isomers is crucial to the petroleum refining industry, but the distillation methods in place are energy intensive. Here, the authors design a series of topologically-guided zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks with optimized pore structures for efficient C6 alkane isomer separations.

Distinguishing Metal-Organic Frameworks

We consider two metal-organic frameworks as identical if they share the same bond network respecting the atom types. An algorithm is presented that decides whether two metal-organic frameworks are the same. It is based on distinguishing structures by comparing a set of descriptors that is obtained from the bond network. We demonstrate our algorithm by analyzing the CoRe MOF database of DFT optimized structures with DDEC partial atomic charges using the program package ToposPro.

Structural diversity of six metal–organic frameworks from a rigid bisimidazole ligand and their adsorption of organic dyes

Six entangled coordination polymers from a bisimidazole ligand and versatile carboxylate acids have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Their adsorption behaviors to organic dyes have also been evaluated.

New knowledge and tools for crystal design: local coordination versus overall network topology and much more

The problem of predicting crystal structures is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence systems.