Fluorometric detection of iodine by MIL-53(Al)-TDC

Low concentrations of I₂ induce severe changes in the luminescence of MIL-53(Al)-TDC. These results postulate fluorescent MIL-53(Al)-TDC as an efficient I₂ detector (potentially for radioactive I₂), using a simple fluorimetric test.

Confined benzene within InOF-1: contrasting CO2 and SO2 capture behaviours

Benzene confinement enhances the CO₂ capture while decreases the SO₂ capture within InOF-1 due to the competition among molecules for the preferential adsorption sites. Pore channel view of CO2Bz@InOF-1b (left) and SO2⋯Bz@InOF-1b (right) systems.

Confined toluene within InOF-1: CO2 capture enhancement

The confinement of small amounts of toluene demonstrated an enhanced CO₂ capture for InOF-1 as a result of a bottleneck effect and synergistic interactions.

Structure stability of HKUST-1 towards water and ethanol and their effect on its CO2 capture properties

Water and ethanol stabilities of the crystal structure of the Cu-based metal-organic framework (MOF) HKUST-1 have been investigated. Vapour (water and ethanol) sorption isotherms and cyclability were measured by a dynamic strategy. The ethanol sorption capacity of HKUST-1 at 303 K remained unchanged contrasting water sorption (which decreased along with the sorption experiment time). Considering the binding energy of each sorbate with the open Cu(ii) sites, obtained by the use of diffusion coefficients, we showed the superior crystal stability of the HKUST-1 framework towards ethanol. Finally, a small quantity of ethanol (pre-adsorbed) slightly enhanced CO₂ capture without crystal structure degradation.

Confined methanol within InOF-1: CO2 capture enhancement

The CO₂ capture in InOF-1 was enhanced by confining small amounts of MeOH. DFT calculations coupled with forcefield based-MC simulations revealed that such an enhancement is due to an increase of the degree of confinement.

Confinement of alcohols to enhance CO2 capture in MIL-53(Al)

CO₂ capture of MIL-53(Al) was enhanced by confining small amounts of MeOH and i-PrOH within its micropores.

Water Adsorption Properties of NOTT-401 and CO2 Capture under Humid Conditions

The water-stable material NOTT-401 was investigated for CO₂ capture under humid conditions. Water adsorption properties of NOTT-401 were studied, and their correlation with CO₂ sequestration at different relative humidities (RHs) showed that the CO₂ capture increased from 1.2 wt % (anhydrous conditions) to 3.9 wt % under 5% RH at 30 °C, representing a 3.2-fold improvement.

HKUST-1 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Vanillin

Vanillin (4-hydoxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is the main component of the extract of vanilla bean. The natural vanilla scent is a mixture of approximately 200 different odorant compounds in addition to vanillin. The natural extraction of vanillin (from the orchid Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla tahitiensis and Vanilla pompon) represents only 1% of the worldwide production and since this process is expensive and very long, the rest of the production of vanillin is synthesized. Many biotechnological approaches can be used for the synthesis of vanillin from lignin, phenolic stilbenes, isoeugenol, eugenol, guaicol, etc., with the disadvantage of harming the environment since these processes use strong oxidizing agents and toxic solvents. Thus, eco-friendly alternatives on the production of vanillin are very desirable and thus, under current investigation. Porous coordination polymers (PCPs) are a new class of highly crystalline materials that recently have been used for catalysis. HKUST-1 (Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3, BTC = 1,3,5-benzene-tricarboxylate) is a very well known PCP which has been extensively studied as a heterogeneous catalyst. Here, we report a synthetic strategy for the production of vanillin by the oxidation of trans-ferulic acid using HKUST-1 as a catalyst.

CO2 capture enhancement in InOF-1 via the bottleneck effect of confined ethanol

Partial loading of the pores in InOF-1 with EtOH creates wide sections separated by “bottlenecks” and leads to 2.7-fold enhanced, kinetic experiment, CO₂ capture.

Water adsorption properties of a Sc(iii) porous coordination polymer for CO2 capture applications

Water adsorption was investigated in the hydrostable Sc(iii) coordination polymer NOTT-400. This material performed CO₂ capture under relative humidity (RH) conditions (20 and 10% RH). The maximum CO₂ capture was obtained at 20% RH and 30 °C with a total amount of ∼10.2 wt%, representing a 2.5-fold increase in comparison with anhydrous conditions.