Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds Research Articles

Self‐Supporting Solid Electrolyte Based on Supramolecular Interaction for Stable Li Metal Batteries

Li metal batteries based on solid polymer electrolytes offer the benefits of high energy density and safety, as well as extended cycling life, making them an excellent candidate for the next‐generation battery system. However, current solid polymer electrolytes still suffer from low ion conductivity and Li+ transfer number, which seriously restricts its practical application. Herein, a self‐supporting composite solid polymer electrolyte was prepared, where phenolic resin rich in hydroxyl groups (BR) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) are mixed evenly and poured onto a cellulose membrane in one step. In such an electrolyte, PEO and BR combine to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds, lowering the crystallinity of PEO and increasing the Li+ transfer number. Lastly, the obtained solid electrolytes exhibited a high ion conductivity (1.1×10‐4 S cm‐1) and Li+ transfer number (0.53), as well as improved electrochemical window. Consequently, Li || Li symmetrical cells can run stably for more than 700 h at 0.1 mA cm‐2/0.25 mAh cm‐2. And full cells with LiFePO4 cathode can also demonstrate high discharge capacity of 152.12 mAh g‐1 and rate performance. We believe that such a design based on supramolecular interaction offer a new avenue to advanced solid polymer electrolytes.

Development of Bilayer Polysaccharide-Based Films Combining Extrusion and Electrospinning for Active Food Packaging

The development of active food packaging is desirable for food safety and to avoid food loss and waste. In this work, we developed antioxidant bilayer films combining extrusion and electrospinning techniques. These films consisted of a first layer of thermoplastic cornstarch (TPS), incorporated with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The second layer consisted of gallic acid (GA) encapsulated at different concentrations in 1:1 chitosan/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (CS/EVOH) nanofibers. This layer was directly electrospun onto the TPS/MCC film. The morphological, structural, wettability, permeability to oxygen, and antioxidant properties were investigated for the first layer and the bilayer films. Water contact angle measurements revealed the hydrophobic nature of the first layer (θ0 = 100.6°). The oxygen permeability (OP) was accessed through the peroxide value (PV) of canola oil, kept in containers covered by the films. PV varied from 66.6 meq/kg for the TPS/MCC layer to 60.5 meq/kg for a bilayer film. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds, mediated by GA, contributed slightly to improving the mechanical strength of the bilayer films. The bilayer film incorporated with GA at 15.0% reached a radical scavenging activity against the DPPH radical of (903.8 ± 62.2) μmol.L−1.Eq. Trolox.g−1. This result proved the effectiveness of the GA nanoencapsulation strategy.

Inclusion Complexes of Ethanamizuril with β- and Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin in Aqueous Solution and in Solid State: A Comparison Study

Ethanamizuril (EZL) is a new anticoccidial drug developed by our Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute. Since EZL is almost insoluble in water, we conducted a study to improve the solubility of EZL by forming inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). In this study, we performed molecular docking and then systematically compared the interactions of EZL with β-CD and HP-β-CD in both aqueous solution and the solid state, aiming to elucidate the solubilization effect and mechanism of cyclodextrins (CDs). The interactions were also examined in the solid state using DSC, PXRD, and FT-IR. The interactions of EZL with CDs in an aqueous solution were investigated using PSA, UV-vis spectroscopy, MS, 1H NMR, and 2D ROESY. The results of phase solubility experiments revealed that both β-CD and HP-β-CD formed inclusion complexes with EZL in a 1:1 molar ratio. Among them, HP-β-CD exhibited higher Kf (stability constant) and CE (complexation efficiency) values as well as a stronger solubilization effect. Furthermore, the two cyclodextrins were found to interact with EZL in a similar manner. The results of our FT-IR and 2D ROESY experiments are in agreement with the theoretical results derived from molecular simulations. These results indicated that intermolecular hydrogen bonds existing between the C=O group on the triazine ring of EZL and the O-H group of CDs, as well as the hydrophobic interactions between the hydrogen on the benzene ring of EZL and the hydrogen of CDs, played crucial roles in the formation of EZL/CD inclusion complexes. The results of this study can lay the foundation for the future development of high-concentration drinking water delivery formulations for EZL.

Transferable Anisotropic Mie Potential Force Field for Alkanediols.

The development of force fields for polyfunctional molecules, such as alkanediols, requires a careful account of different average intramolecular conformations for gas states compared to dense liquid states, where intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds compete. In the present work, the transferable anisotropic Mie (TAMie) potential is extended to 1,n-alkanediols. Using the convention that intramolecular nonbonded interactions up to and including the third neighbor are excluded, all force field parameters developed previously for 1-alcohols were transferred to 1,5-pentanediol and beyond, with good agreement with experimental phase equilibrium data. To obtain trans-gauche ratios of 1,2-ethanediol and 1,3-propanediol that are consistent with experimental results, the propensities for intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds had to be balanced. This was achieved by parameterizing the intramolecular dihedral energy functions governing the O-C-C-O and O-C-C-C angles while intramolecular charge-charge interactions were active. All partial charges belonging to a functional group are collected in a charge group and all interactions among two charge groups are evaluated even if they are separated by less than three bonds. With this approach, it is possible to apply the nonbonded parameters from 1-alcohols to alkanediols without further refinement. The agreement with experimental phase equilibrium and shear viscosity data is of similar quality as for the 1-alcohols and the trans-gauche ratio agrees with literature results from spectroscopic measurements and ab initio calculations.

Probing the stability and quality of the cellulose-based Pickering emulsion containing sesamolin-enriched sesame oil by chemometrics-assisted ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

This study presents the employment of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection and principal component analysis (PCA) to analyze the stability of a Pickering emulsion stabilized by carboxylated-cellulose nanocrystal (cCNC) comprising sesame oil phases with or without sesamolin. FTIR measurements identified an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the ester group of the triglyceride and the carboxyl group of the cCNC to create the emulsion droplet. The spectral bands from the hydroxyl group vibration (3700–3050 cm−1), carbonyl (1744 cm−1), CO groups of the ester triglyceride and cCNC (1160–998 cm−1) markedly discriminated between stabilized and destabilized emulsions. The PCA of FTIR spectra detected the change of molecular interaction during storage according to creaming, aggregation, and coalescence and changes in physicochemical parameters such as droplet size, refractive index, and zeta potential. Hence, PCA enabled the observation of the destabilization of emulsion in real-time.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure Studies of a New Complex of Co (III)-Schiff Base Derivative Derived from Isonicotinohydrazide

A new Co(III) complex prepared by the reaction of N'–(1–(pyridin–2 yl)ethylidene) isonicotinohydrazide (H2L) with Co(II) ion is reported in this paper. The H2L ligand is structurally characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and infrared spectroscopies. The mononuclear complex [Co(HL)2]·Cl·3H2O (1), is characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, conductance, magnetic room temperature measurement and single X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P21/c. The parameters of the unit cell are a = 9.6818(3) Å; b = 25.1587(6) Å; c = 11.5481(3) Å;   β = 101.797(3) °; Z = 4; Rint = 0.0313 and wR(F2) = 0.0812. The asymmetric unit of the compound contains a discrete [Co(HL)2]+ cation one  free chloride anion and three uncoordinated water molecules. In the discrete cation one Co3+ ion two organic ligand molecules are present. The coordination polyhedron around the Co3+ center is best described as a distorted octahedral with CoN4O2 chromophore. The crystal structure of the complex is stabilized by intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

Hydrogen bond analysis of the p-coumaric acid-nicotinamide cocrystal using the DFT and AIM method

Background: The molecular geometric structure of p-coumaric acid-nicotinamide has been optimised using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Atom In Molecule (AIM).     Objective: To analyse the hydrogen bond of the p-coumaric acid–nicotinamide cocrystal.     Method: Structural optimisation using DFT was carried out on the basis set B3LYP/6-311G++ (d, p). The electron density topology from the optimisation results obtained was then validated using the Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) method.     Result: Optimisation results showed that there are intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the carbonyl group of p-coumaric acid and the amine group of nicotinamide, namely C1=O11∙∙∙O34 with length 1.804 Å. On the other hand, the results of the topology test with AIM showed a value of ∇2ρ = 0.1196 a.u; G = 0.0393 a.u; H = 0.0946 a.u; V = -0.0488 a.u which means there was an intermolecular Hydrogen bond with EH∙∙∙O = -64.05 a.u.     Conclusion: A hydrogen bond in the cocrystal of p-coumaric acid-nicotinamide is classified as an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the carbonyl group of p-coumaric acid and the amine group in the carboxyl group.

The enzymatic synthesis of theaflavin-3-gallate oxidation product and its determination

In this work, the oxidation of theaflavin-3-gallate (TF-3-G) was investigated using (-)-epicatechin (EC) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as substrates in a one-pot reaction. The resulting TF-3-G oxidation product was acquired by employing acetonitrile/water and ethanol/water as eluents, respectively, which was identified as theanaphthoquinone-3′-gallate (TNQ-3′-G). Surprisingly, we discovered that TNQ-3′-G could react with certain protic solvents to form new and unstable complexes through intermolecular hydrogen bond. This reactivity was also confirmed by the presence of irregular peaks in reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) besides spectroscopic data. Therefore, we inferred that the number of carboxyl groups may increase through the successive oxidative polymerization of the TFs oxidation products. The high-molecular polymer could also interact with biomacromolecules in a similar manner to their interaction with protic solvents. This interaction might be one of the main factors contributing to the broad hump of thearubigins (TRs) on the RP-HPLC baseline. Additionally, these findings lay a solid foundation for interpreting the structures of TRs and understanding their generation mechanism.

Synthesis, Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis and Antibacterial Activities of [Cd(2-ampy)3(NCS)(μ1,5-SCN)]2 and [Cd(4-ampy)2(μ1,5-dca)2]n Complexes (2-ampy = 2-aminopyridine, 4-ampy = 4-aminopyridine, NCS = thiocyanate, dca = dicyanamide)

The complexes [Cd(2-ampy)3(NCS)(μ-SCN)]2 (1) and [Cd(4-ampy)2(μ1,5-dca)2]n (2) were synthesized and characterized using single crystal XRD. Complex 1 has a dimer structure with a triclinic crystal system and space group P, whereas complex 2 has a polymer structure with a monoclinic crystal system and space group P21/c. Hirshfeld surface analysis of complex 1 showed the presence of S---N–H and N–H–S interactions between dimer molecules and intramolecular hydrogen bonds N–H---N. In complex 2, the analysis showed the polymer coordination chain bonds between Cd(II) ions with N atoms from dicyanamide and intermolecular hydrogen bonds of N–H---N. In vitro antibacterial testing for both complexes against Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococus aureus (gram-positive) showed a higher inhibition zone diameter than the constituent reactants, where complex 2 had the a higher antibacterial activity.

Inserting intermolecular hydrogen bonds to achieve dimensional regulation and phase transition temperature enhancement

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials have become potential candidates in fields of light emitting diodes (LEDs), mechanical switches, energy conversion due to their excellent magneto-opto-electronic properties. Further improving the performance of materials is a prerequisite for achieving their commercial application. Currently, many effective strategies have been proposed and validated to enhance the properties of materials, but both simultaneously realizing the improvement phase transition temperature and dimensional regulation of materials remains a huge challenge. Here, we successfully synthesized two hybrid materials, (pyrrolidinium)PbI3 (Com-1) and (3-hydroxypyrrolium)6Pb5I16 (Com-2). In this work, the strategy of inserting intermolecular hydrogen bonds cleverly achieves a significant increase in phase transition temperature (ΔT = 81 K) and dimensional regulation (1D to 2D). Moreover, semiconductor properties of two compounds are investigated to be direct bandgap semiconductor. In short, inserting intermolecular hydrogen bonds between molecules is an effective strategy to improve physical performance.

Experimental and theoretical study of the Favipiravir association in water solvent

Favipiravir, also known as T-705, is an antiviral prodrug that was first developed against the influenza virus and was later found to be effective against other RNA viruses, including arenaviruses, bunyaviruses, Zika, Ebola, Lassa, and COVID-19 viruses, in addition to influenza A and B. Due to the global prevalence of SARS-COV-2 in 2019, Favipiravir was used as an antiviral drug for treating COVID-19, but the challenges facing it, including its solubility, tablet ability, and bioavailability, remain. It is critical and challenging to develop a drug with appropriate bioavailability, improved oral absorption, and increased solubility without interfering with other functions and preventing the consumption of high daily doses. For this purpose, in the present study, the interactions of Favipiravir-Favipiravir and Favipiravir-H2O and the association of the Favipiravir molecules were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The theoretical results showed that under normal conditions, all structures were stable, but the most stable structure based on calculations of electronic energy, Gibbs, and solvation Gibbs free energies (minimum value), both in the gas phase and in the aqueous phase, is related to the B-enol isomer. Also, the change in dipole moment in the solvation process for this isomer was less than others. Also, the intense intermolecular hydrogen bonds O-H…O and N-H…O between the Favipiravir and water molecules showed that Favipiravir…Favipiravir interactions are stronger than Favipiravir…H2O interactions in aqueous solutions. These interactions indicate that Favipiravir can participate in the aggregation phenomena in high concentrations. Also, Stokeʼs shift values slightly increased with the decreasing the drug concentration in water (intramolecular charge transfer phenomenon).

Biomass to green surfactants: Microwave-assisted transglycosylation of wheat bran for alkyl glycosides production

Depolymerization of carbohydrate biomass using a long-chain alcohol (transglycosylation) to produce alkyl glycoside-based bio-surfactants has been gaining industrial interest. This study introduces microwave-assisted transglycosylation in transforming wheat bran, a substantial agricultural side stream, into these valuable compounds. Compared to traditional heating, microwave-assisted processing significantly enhances the product yield by 53 % while reducing the reaction time by 72 %, achieving a yield of 29 % within 5 h. This enhancement results from the microwave's capacity to activate intermolecular hydrogen and glycosidic bonds, thereby facilitating transglycosylation. Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis demonstrate the benefits of microwave heating in reducing energy consumption by 42 %, CO2 emissions by 56 %, and equipment, operational and production costs by 44 %, 35 % and 30 %, respectively. The study suggests that microwave heating is a promising approach for efficiently producing bio-surfactants from agricultural wastes, with potential cost reductions and environmental benefits that could enhance industrial biomass conversion processes.

Excess properties and intermolecular interactions of 2-methoxyethanol + ethylenediamine binary system: Density, viscosity, spectral analyses, computational chemistry, and CO2 absorption property

To examine the fundamental physicochemical properties as well as intermolecular interactions for the 2-methoxyethanol (EGME) (1) + ethylenediamine (EDA) (2) binary system, this work systemically measured the density (ρ) and viscosity (η) values of the binary system with various mole ratios at P = 100.5 kPa and T = (298.15–318.15) K with the growth gap of 5 K. The as-measured values of the pure substances were compared with literature data. Multiple semi-empirical formulas were used to fit ρ and η values, and the absolute average deviations (AAD%) were calculated. After that, the excess molar volume (VmE), partial molar volume (V¯), apparent molar volume (Vφ), viscosity deviation (Δη), excess activation of Gibbs free energy (ΔG∗E), and several thermodynamic properties of the binary system were systemically analyzed. According to analysis results, it has been proven that the interaction exists between EGME and EDA molecules. And then, excess properties were fitted to the Redlich-Kister equation using multi-parametric nonlinear regression analyses, and standard deviations (σ) were calculated. In addition, based on various characterization methods including Raman, ultraviolet (UV), and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen (1H NMR) spectral analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculation results, it is demonstrated that there is intermolecular hydrogen bonds in EGME (1) + EDA (2) binary system as the form of –OH⋯NH2–, which was consistent with the existence forms of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in different alcohol-amine systems from references. Finally, CO2 absorption capacity by pure EDA, pure EGME, and the EGME (1) + EDA (2) binary system were severally determined.

The Role of Hydrogen Bonds in Thermally Responsive Crystallization-Driven Template Autocatalysis.

Autocatalysis has been well recognized to implicate in the emergence of life and is intrinsic to the biomolecular replication. Recently, an efficient template autocatalysis driven by solvent-free crystallization has been reported. Herein, we unveil the role of intermolecular hydrogen (H) bonds formed by amides in crystallization-driven template autocatalysis (CDTA), which involves the autocatalytic activity, template selectivity, and thermal responsiveness. We found that the thermal-induced cis-trans isomerization of amides possibly affects the H-bonding-mediated template ability of products for autocatalytic transformation. As a result, CDTA can be reversibly inhibited and activated by tuning the reaction temperatures. Our work sheds light on the significance of noncovalent H-bonding interactions in artificial self-replicators.

The Role of Hydrogen Bonds in Thermally Responsive Crystallization‐Driven Template Autocatalysis

Autocatalysis has been well recognized to implicate in the emergence of life and is intrinsic to the biomolecular replication. Recently, an efficient template autocatalysis driven by solvent‐free crystallization has been reported. Herein, we unveil the role of intermolecular hydrogen (H) bonds formed by amides in crystallization‐driven template autocatalysis (CDTA), which involves the autocatalytic activity, template selectivity, and thermal responsiveness. We found that the thermal‐induced cis‐trans isomerization of amides possibly affects the H‐bonding‐mediated template ability of products for autocatalytic transformation. As a result, CDTA can be reversibly inhibited and activated by tuning the reaction temperatures. Our work sheds light on the significance of noncovalent H‐bonding interactions in artificial self‐replicators.

UiO-66(Zr) as drug delivery system for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The toxicity for the human body of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) overdoses is a consequence of their low water solubility, high doses, and facile accessibility to the population. New drug delivery systems (DDS) are necessary to overcome the bioavailability and toxicity related to NSAIDs. In this context, UiO-66(Zr) metal-organic framework (MOF) shows high porosity, stability, and load capacity, thus being a promising DDS. However, the adsorption and release capability for different NSAIDs is scarcely described. In this work, the biocompatible UiO-66(Zr) MOF was used to study the adsorption and release conditions of ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac using a theoretical and experimental approximation. DFT results showed that the MOF-drug interaction was due to an intermolecular hydrogen bond between protons of the groups in the defect sites, (μ3 − OH, and − OH2) and a lone pair of oxygen carboxyl functional group of the NSAIDs. Also, the experimental results suggest that the solvent where the drug is dissolved affects the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetics are similar between the drugs, but the maximum load capacity differs for each drug. The release kinetics assay showed a solvent dependence kinetics whose maximum liberation capacity is affected by the interaction between the drug and the material. Finally, the biological assays show that none of the systems studied are cytotoxic for HMVEC. Additionally, the wound healing assay suggests that the UiO-66(Zr) material has potential application on the wound healing process. However, further studies should be done.

Synergetic effects of inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions in XC5H3HC = Y···HO···H2O2 complexes (X = N, P, As and Sb; Y = O, S and NH): the role of aromaticity and exchange interactions

ABSTRACT Intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IHB) interactions were considered in XC5H3HC = Y···HO molecules which include OH···Y unit (Y = O, S and NH) and heteroatom X (X = N, P, As and Sb). Alteration of heteroatoms X in para position causes a change of properties of electron charge densities on these molecules and influences on strength of the IHB interactions. The aromaticity of the ring A (involving IHB interaction) and ring B (involving heteroatoms X) of XC5H3HC = Y···HO molecules was calculated using para-delocalisation index (PDI). Results reveal that the change of X from N to Sb is followed by the decrease in aromaticity of the mentioned rings. However, the strength of the IHB interactions increases during the change of X. Moreover, IHB energies were estimated using some computational methods and a viewpoint based on the properties of ring critical points (RCPs). The IHB energies obtained using a viewpoint based on the properties of RCPs have a better relationship with hydrogen bonding descriptors. Also, intermolecular hydrogen bond (HB) interactions of hydrogen peroxide with the close and open forms of the XC5H3HC = Y···HO molecules were considered. Cooperative effects of the HB and IHB interactions are revealed. Moreover, energy decomposition analysis (EDA) highlights the role of exchange interactions on the stability of the XC5H3HC = Y···HO···H2O2 complexes.

Proposed molecular mechanism of non-competitive inhibition using molecular dynamics simulations between α-glucosidase enzyme and mangostin compound as antidiabetic.

Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms is necessary since it is important for designing new drugs. This study aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the design of drugs that are inhibitors of the α-glucosidase enzyme. This research aims to gain further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying antidiabetic drug design. The molecular docking process yielded 4 compounds with the best affinity energy, including γ-Mangostin, 1,6-dimethyl-ester-3-isomangostin, 1,3,6-trimethyl-ester-α-mangostin, and 3,6,7-trimethyl-ester-γ-mangostin. Free energy calculation with molecular mechanics with generalized born and surface area solvation indicated that the 3,6,7-trimethyl-γ-mangostin had a better free energy value compared to acarbose and simulated maltose together with 3,6,7-trimethyl-γ-mangostin compound. Based on the analysis of electrostatic, van der Waals, and intermolecular hydrogen interactions, 3,6,7-trimethyl-γ-mangostin adopts a noncompetitive inhibition mechanism, whereas acarbose adopts a competitive inhibition mechanism. Consequently, 3,6,7-trimethyl-ester-γ-mangostin, which is a derivative of γ-mangostin, can provide better activity in silico with molecular docking approaches and molecular dynamics simulations. This research commenced with retrieving protein structures from the RCSB database, generating the formation of ligands using the ChemDraw Professional software, conducting molecular docking with the Autodock Vina software, and performing molecular dynamics simulations using the Amber software, along with the evaluation of RMSD values and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Free energy, electrostatic interactions, and Van der Waals interaction were calculated using MM/GBSA. Acarbose, used as a positive control, and maltose are simulated together with test compound that has the best free energy. The forcefields used for molecular dynamics simulations are ff19SB, gaff2, and tip3p.

Guest-induced supramolecular helices and its application in L-Arg detection and L-Arg controlled reversible morphology modulation

A novel AIE supramolecular polymer (BPK) was synthesized by bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde) terephthalo hydrazone functionalized pillar [5]arene and cross-linked using a bis(4.4-dipyridinium salt)cross-linker via host-guest complexation. BPK exhibited strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in binary solutions of DMSO/H2O. BPK could be an AIE-based sensor with specific fluorescence sensing ability for L-Arg in water. The detection limit of BPK for L-Arg was 3.95 × 10−7 M, and other amino acids did not interfere with the sensing process. Moreover, in a pure DMSO solvent, BPK can self-assemble into a fibrous structure of the right-hand spiral by guest-induced supramolecular helices. At 80 % water content, BPK undergoes a morphological transformation into supramolecular polymer. Intriguingly, BPK exhibits a reversible transformation from a polymer to a nanosphere through the alternating addition of trifluoroacetic acid and arginine. Additionally, the fluorescence of BPK demonstrates an "on-off" switch. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation and disruption of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The reversible manipulation of polymer materials' morphology and optical properties holds significant potential in biomedicine and smart materials.

Supramolecular Entanglement in a Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework Enables Flexible-Robust Porosity for Highly Efficient Purification of Natural Gas.

The development of porous materials with flexible-robust characteristics shows some unique advantages to target high performance for gas separation, but remains a daunting challenge to achieve so far. Herein, we report a carboxyl-based hydrogen-bonded organic framework (ZJU-HOF-8a) with flexible-robust porosity for efficient purification of natural gas. ZJU-HOF-8a features a four-fold interpenetrated structure withdiatopology, wherein abundant supramolecular entanglements are formed between the adjacent subnetworks through weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds. This structural configuration could stabilize the whole framework to establish the permanent porosity, but also enable the framework to show some flexibility(so-called flexible-robust framework). The flexible-robust porosity of ZJU-HOF-8a was confirmed by gas sorption isotherms and SCXRDstudies, showing that the flexible pore pockets can be opened by C3H8and n-C4H10rather by C2H6and CH4. This leads to notably higher C3H8and n-C4H10uptakes with enhanced selectivities than C2H6over CH4, affording one of the highest n-C4H10/CH4selectivities. The gas-loaded single-crystal structures coupled with theoretical simulations reveal that the loading of n-C4H10can induce an obvious framework expansion along with pore-pocket opening to improve n-C4H10uptake and selectivity, while not for C2H6adsorption. This work suggests an effective strategy of designing flexible-robust HOFs for improving gas separation properties.