Abstract
Chiral nanoporous solids are a fascinating class of materials, allowing efficient enantiomer separation. Here, we review the status, applications, and potential of thin films of homochiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Combining the advantages of MOFs, whose well-defined, crystalline structures can be rationally tuned, with the benefits of thin films enables new opportunities for the characterization of the enantioselectivity, e.g., via chiroptical spectroscopy and straightforward molecular uptake quantifications. By incorporating photoresponsive molecules in the chiral MOF films, the enantioselectivity of the material can be dynamically remote-controlled. The most promising application of MOF films is their use as membranes, where the enantioselective separation of chiral molecules is demonstrated and parameters for further improvements are discussed.
Highlights
Enantiomer separation of chiral molecules is based on their selective interaction with a chiral medium, like a chiral surface
The most promising application of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) films is their use as membranes, where the enantioselective separation of chiral molecules is demonstrated and parameters for further improvements are discussed
Homochiral MOFs are composed of chiral ligand molecules [8], but syntheses from achiral molecules or racemic mixtures are possible [9]
Summary
Enantiomer separation of chiral molecules is based on their selective interaction with a chiral medium, like a chiral surface. In addition to fundamental questions and the scientific aim of a detailed understanding, the research on enantioselective separation is driven by many important applications in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical engineering [1] Based on their large specific surface area and their tunable structure, homochiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are very promising candidates for an efficient enantiomer separation. There,resulting the MOF film preparation is the layer-by-layer synthesis based on liquid-phase (quasi)-epitaxy, in components are consecutively deposited on an appropriately functionalized substrate. Film prepared by one-pot synthesis, where the functionalized substrate is immersed in one reaction (b) Alternative sample immersion in the metal-node and in the linker solutions for many cycles results solution. (b) Alternative sample immersion in the metal-node and in the linker solutions for many in a layer-by-layer growth of the MOF thin film, referred to as surface-mounted MOF (SURMOF). (a) and (c) Reprinted with permissions from [18,26], Copyrights 2013 and 2011, The Royal Society diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). (a) and (c) Reprinted with permissions from [18,26], Copyrights 2013 and of Chemistry. (b) Reprinted with permission from [20]. (d) Reprinted with permissions from [27], 2011, The Royal Society of Chemistry. (b) Reprinted with permission from [20]. (d) Reprinted with
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