Postsynthetic ion exchange and characterization of alkali metal ions ordered in the pores of anionic Zr metal–organic framework

Abstract

AbstractBinding alkali metal ions in solutions is an important yet difficult task and it is especially true for a solid host in aqueous systems. This study shows that a water stable, anionic metal–organic framework (Zr‐dobdc) is capable of capturing M+ (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) ions dissolved in water through ion exchange. The alkali metal ions captured at the unique cation‐binding pockets of Zr‐dobdc and their ordered alignments in the crystal lattice are unambiguously characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal and powder diffraction studies. The apparent selectivity for alkali metal ions over other metal ions is also explained.