Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment on the Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework ZIF-8, a Typical Example of Metal Organic Framework

Abstract

Because our undergraduate chemistry students hear about metal organic frameworks (MOF) within the plan of the teaching units dedicated to inorganic chemistry and coordination chemistry, we initiated in 2017-2018 an inorganic chemistry laboratory experiment aimed at third-year undergraduate students (7 sessions of 4 h each). The laboratory focuses on the synthesis and analysis of the ZIF-8, a well-documented and easy-to-synthesize MOF. Students are introduced to coordination chemistry, MOFs, solvothermal synthesis, analysis techniques (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis), and 3D visualization of the structural models of crystalline solids. Prior to any discussion with the instructor, the students are strongly encouraged to analyze their collected data based on the open literature, and it is expected that they will develop their autonomy. The students gain experimental independency. After the laboratory experiment, the students prepare a poster (2 dedicated sessions, of 4 h each), and present it during an oral examination (10th session) in front of a jury of four instructors. In this way, they are assessed. We believe that this inorganic chemistry laboratory experiment could be adopted by other laboratories as it is, or in an adapted form. Some suggestions to adapt it are made.