Chapter 8 - Synthesis of metal–organic frameworks with ionic liquids

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) synthesis embraces the traditional solvothermal technique which involves metal-containing precursor and organic linker reaction at a high temperature in an organic solvent. More recently, the synthesis of MOFs in “ionothermal” processes using ionic liquids (ILs) as opposed to organic solvents is a novel material synthesis method. It is a method where catalysts, reaction medium, templates, or charge-balancing groups are provided by ionic liquids (ILs). The coexistence of organic and ionic groups in an ionic liquid and the enormous temperature windows enables the development of novel MOF structures. Ionic liquids ions are incorporated into the MOF's open cavities, balancing the framework's ionic charge and serving as a template for the formation of the MOF framework. ILs can play additional structural directing roles as well. For instance, an IL containing a single enantiomer of chiral anion results in a homochiral MOF, even though the IL anion is not actually embraced into the MOF. The ionothermal synthesis of MOFs, as well as ILs' structure-directing properties are discussed in this chapter.