Tritopic Linker Research Articles

Six‐Membered Ring Directed Assembly of a Zirconium Zeolitic Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Separation of Hexane Isomers

AbstractThe synthesis of zirconium MOFs with zeolite net is quite challenging due to the high connectivity of Zr6 clusters, which is far from tetrahedral connection, a requisite for zeolite net. In this work, we demonstrate a six‐membered ring (6MR) strategy through mimicking of mineral zeolites with mixed ditopic and tritopic carboxylate linkers. With this strategy, the ditopic linker cross‐links Zr6 clusters to form 4‐connected zeolite‐like nets, while the tritopic one is used to direct the formation of 6MR and simultaneously consumes extra coordination sites on the cluster. The feasibility of this strategy is shown by one zeolitic metal–organic framework (NNM‐5) and this strategy has also led to the synthesis of the other dia‐type zirconium MOF (NNM‐6). Interestingly, as the tritopic linker not only directs the formation of 6MR but also partitions 6MR into small segments, NNM‐5 with SOD topology shows a structural feature of small aperture and big cage, which has led to efficient separation of hexane isomers. With both exceptionally high n‐hexane uptake (65.9 cm3 g−1) and size‐exclusion selectivity, an exceptional separation capability is verified by breakthrough experiments. Calculation results demonstrate that the large difference of diffusion energy barrier due to the small aperture accounts for the underlying separation mechanism.

Six-Membered Ring Directed Assembly of a Zirconium Zeolitic Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Separation of Hexane Isomers.

The synthesis of zirconium MOFs with zeolite net is quite challenging due to the high connectivity of Zr6 clusters, which is far from tetrahedral connection, a requisite for zeolite net. In this work, we demonstrate a six-membered ring (6MR) strategy through mimicking of mineral zeolites with mixed ditopic and tritopic carboxylate linkers. With this strategy, the ditopic linker cross-links Zr6 clusters to form 4-connected zeolite-like nets, while the tritopic one is used to direct the formation of 6MR and simultaneously consumes extra coordination sites on the cluster. The feasibility of this strategy is shown by one zeolitic metal-organic framework (NNM-5) and this strategy has also led to the synthesis of the other dia-type zirconium MOF (NNM-6). Interestingly, as the tritopic linker not only directs the formation of 6MR but also partitions 6MR into small segments, NNM-5 with SOD topology shows a structural feature of small aperture and big cage, which has led to efficient separation of hexane isomers. With both exceptionally high n-hexane uptake (65.9 cm3 g-1) and size-exclusion selectivity, an exceptional separation capability is verified by breakthrough experiments. Calculation results demonstrate that the large difference of diffusion energy barrier due to the small aperture accounts for the underlying separation mechanism.

UoC-10: Exploring the Packings of Chiral Copper(II) Paddle-Wheel Based Metal-Organic Cages (MOCs).

The fluorination of the central ring of 1,3,5-benzene-tris-(meta-benzoate) (referred to as BTMB) leads to a twisted tritopic linker which reacts with copper(II) ions to assemble into octahedral (pseudospherical) metal-organic cages (MOCs) with paddle-wheel units at their vertices. In this work, the different sphere packings of these MOCs are explored in detail together with their material properties, which closely resemble those of copper-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Theoretical investigations of the linkers are carried out to analyze the energetic barrier imposed by the fluorine substituents to form the observed atropisomers.

Exploring the Role of Ligand Connectivity in MOFs Mechanical Stability: The Case of MIL-100(Cr).

The key parameters governing the mechanical stability of highly porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are yet to be clearly understood. This study focuses on the role of the linker connectivity by investigating the mechanical stability of MIL-100(Cr), a mesoporous MOF with a hierarchical structure and a tritopic linker, and comparing it to MIL-101(Cr) having instead a ditopic linker. Using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, we investigate the high-pressure behavior of MIL-100(Cr) with both solid and fluid pressure transmitting media (PTM). In the case of a solid medium, MIL-100(Cr) undergoes amorphization at about 0.6 GPa, while silicone oil as a PTM delays amorphization until 12 GPa due to the fluid penetration into the pores. Both of these values are considerably higher than those of MIL-101(Cr). MIL-100(Cr) also exhibits a bulk modulus almost ten times larger than that of MIL-101(Cr). This set of results coherently proves the superior stability of MIL-100(Cr) under compression. We ascribe this to the higher connectivity of the organic linker in MIL-100(Cr), which enhances its interconnection between the metal nodes. These findings shed light on the importance of linker connectivity in the mechanical stability of MOFs, a relevant contribution to the quest for designing more robust MOFs.

Designed construction of two new atom-precise three-dimensional and two-dimensional Ag12 cluster-assembled materials.

Silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) are well-defined crystalline extended materials hallmarked by their unique geometric structures, atomically precise designability and functional modularity. In this study, we report for the first time the synthesis of a (3,6)-connected three-dimensional (3D) SCAM, [Ag12(StBu)6(CF3COO)6(TPMA)6]n (designated as TUS 6), TPMA = tris(pyridine-4-ylmethyl)amine, by assembling Ag12 cluster nodes with the help of a tritopic linker TPMA. Besides, we also prepared a two-dimensional (2D) SCAM, [Ag12(StBu)6(CF3COO)6(TPEB)6]n (described as TUS 7), TPEB = 1,3,5-tris(pyridine-4-ylethynyl)benzene, by reticulating Ag12 nodes with a tritopic linker TPEB. Characterized by microscopic and diffraction analyses, the SCAMs revealed distinct morphologies, structural robustness, and phase purity. This paper elucidates how the binding with the organic linkers alters the symmetry of the silver nanoclusters (NCs). Changes in the symmetry of discrete NCs to assembled structures have not been reported yet. This study provides an atomic-level explanation of the transformation of symmetry from NCs to extended structures.

Modulation of Singlet-Triplet Gap in Atomically Precise Silver Cluster-Assembled Material.

Silver cluster-based solids have garnered considerable attention owing to their tunable luminescence behavior. While surface modification has enabled the construction of stable silver clusters, controlling interactions among clusters at the molecular level has been challenging due to their tendency to aggregate. Judicious choice of stabilizing ligands becomes pivotal in crafting a desired assembly. However, detailed photophysical behavior as a function of their cluster packing remained unexplored. Here, we modulate the packing pattern of Ag12 clusters by varying the nitrogen-based ligand. CAM-1 formed through coordination of the tritopic linker molecule and NC-1 with monodentate pyridine ligand; established via non-covalent interactions. Both the assemblies show ligand-to-metal-metal charge transfer (LMMCT) based cluster-centered emission band(s). Temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra exhibit blue shifts at higher temperatures, which is attributed to the extent of the thermal reverse population of the S1 state from the closely spaced T1 state. The difference in the energy gap (ΔEST ) dictated by their assemblies played a pivotal role in the way that Ag12 cluster assembly in CAM-1 manifests a wider ΔEST and thus requires higher temperatures for reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) than assembly of NC-1. Such assembly-defined photoluminescence properties underscore the potential toolkit to design new cluster- assemblies with tailored optoelectronic properties.

Modulation of Singlet‐Triplet Gap in Atomically Precise Silver Cluster‐Assembled Material

AbstractSilver cluster‐based solids have garnered considerable attention owing to their tunable luminescence behavior. While surface modification has enabled the construction of stable silver clusters, controlling interactions among clusters at the molecular level has been challenging due to their tendency to aggregate. Judicious choice of stabilizing ligands becomes pivotal in crafting a desired assembly. However, detailed photophysical behavior as a function of their cluster packing remained unexplored. Here, we modulate the packing pattern of Ag12 clusters by varying the nitrogen‐based ligand. CAM‐1 formed through coordination of the tritopic linker molecule and NC‐1 with monodentate pyridine ligand; established via non‐covalent interactions. Both the assemblies show ligand‐to‐metal‐metal charge transfer (LMMCT) based cluster‐centered emission band(s). Temperature‐dependent photoluminescence spectra exhibit blue shifts at higher temperatures, which is attributed to the extent of the thermal reverse population of the S1 state from the closely spaced T1 state. The difference in the energy gap (ΔEST) dictated by their assemblies played a pivotal role in the way that Ag12 cluster assembly in CAM‐1 manifests a wider ΔEST and thus requires higher temperatures for reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) than assembly of NC‐1. Such assembly‐defined photoluminescence properties underscore the potential toolkit to design new cluster‐ assemblies with tailored optoelectronic properties.

Development of a Mixed Multinuclear Cluster Strategy in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Methane Purification and Storage.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted extensive attention in methane (CH4) purification and storage. Specially, multinuclear cluster-based MOFs usually have prominent performance because of large cluster size and abundant open metal sites. However, compared to diverse combinations of organic linkers, one MOF with two or more multinuclear clusters is difficult to achieve. In this paper, we demonstrate a mixed multinuclear cluster strategy, which successfully led to three new heterometallic MOFs (SNNU-328-330) with the same common H3TATB [2,4,6-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine] tritopic linker and six types of multinuclear clusters ([YCd(COO)4(μ2-H2O)], [YCd2(COO)8], [In3(COO)6(μ3-OH)], [In3Eu2(COO)9(μ3-OH)3(μ4-O)], [Y9(COO)12(μ3-OH)14] and [Y2Cd8(COO)16(μ2-H2O)4(μ3-OH)8]). Three MOF adsorbents all show great potentials to remove the impurities (CO2 and C2-hydrocarbons) in natural gas and show prominent high-pressure methane storage capacity. Among them, the ideal adsorbed solution theory separation ratios of equimolar C2H2/CH4, C2H4/CH4, C2H6/CH4, and CO2/CH4 at 298 K for SNNU-328 reach to 29.7-16.0, 19.1-8.2, 33.2-10.3, and 74.3-8.5, which have surpassed many famous MOF adsorbents. Dynamic breakthrough experiments conducted at 273 and 298 K showed that SNNU-330 can separate CH4 from C2H2/CH4, C2H4/CH4, C2H6/CH4, and CO2/CH4 mixtures with the breakthrough interval times of about 48.2, 17.9, 37.2, and 17.1 min g-1 (273 K, 1 bar, v/v = 50/50, 2 mL min-1), respectively. Remarkably, SNNU-329 exhibits extremely high methane storage performance at 298 K with the total uptake and working capacity of 192 cm3 cm-3 (95 bar) and 171 cm3 cm-3 (65 bar) due to the synergistic effects of high surface area, suitable pore sizes, and multiple open metal sites.

Reticular chemistry for the rational design of mechanically robust mesoporous merged-net metal-organic frameworks

Reticular chemistry for the rational design of mechanically robust mesoporous merged-net metal-organic frameworks

Introducing Benzene-1,3,5-tri(dithiocarboxylate) as a Multidentate Linker in Coordination Chemistry.

Benzene-1,3,5-tri(dithiocarboxylate) (BTDTC3-), the sulfur-donor analogue of trimesate (BTC3-, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate), is introduced, and its potential as a multidentate, electronically bridging ligand in coordination chemistry is evaluated. For this, the sodium salt Na3BTDTC has been synthesized, characterized, and compared with the sodium salt of the related ditopic benzene-1,4-di(dithiocarboxylate) (Na2BDDTC). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of the respective tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvates reveals that such multitopic aromatic dithiocarboxylate linkers can form both discrete metal complexes (Na3BTDTC·9THF) and (two-dimensional) coordination polymers (Na2BDDTC·4THF). Additionally, the versatile coordination behavior of the novel BTDTC3- ligand is demonstrated by successful synthesis and characterization of trinuclear Cu(I) and hexanuclear Mo(II)2 paddlewheel complexes. The electronic structure and molecular orbitals of both dithiocarboxylate ligands as well as their carboxylate counterparts are investigated by density functional theory computational methods. Electrochemical investigations suggest that BTDTC3- enables electronic communication between the coordinated metal ions, rendering it a promising tritopic linker for functional coordination polymers.

Reticular Synthesis of tbo Topology Covalent Organic Frameworks.

The metal-organic framework (MOF) HKUST-1 with a tbo topology serves as an archetypal tunable and isoreticular framework platform for targeting desired applications, but the design and synthesis of tbo-covalent organic frameworks (COFs) remains a formidable challenge. Here we demonstrate the successful use of reticular chemistry as an appropriate strategy for the design and deliberate construction of COFs with a tbo topology. The judicious selection of the perquisite planar building blocks, 4-connected square tetramine of porphyrin and 3-connected trigonal trialdehydes of triphenylamine, allows the condensation of two tbo-COFs, the first examples of COFs with a tbo topology. The resulting COFs both crystallize in the cubic Pm3̅ space group and adopt a non-interpenetrated open framework, in which each tritopic linker connects to three square units forming a truncated Td-octahedron and occupies the alternating triangular faces of the truncated octahedron. Owing to the presence of two different types of photoredox-active moieties, the two COFs can be efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts for the oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids and the reductive defluoroalkylation of trifluoromethyl aromatics with alkenes. The present finding will provide an impetus to examine the potential of tbo-COFs as a new platform for engineering multifunctional materials via expansion and functionalization of building blocks.

Porphyrin Grafting on a Mercapto-Equipped Zr(IV)-Carboxylate Framework Enhances Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

We employ facile aromatic nucleophilic substitution between the mercapto (-SH) and arylfluoro (Ar-F) groups to achieve extensive and robust cross-linking of a coordination host by porphyrin guests that also serve the purpose of versatile postsynthetic functionalization. For this, a tritopic linker with three trident-like thiol-flanked carboxyl units are reacted with ZrOCl2·8H2O to afford a two-dimensional (3,6-connected) net. The wide aperture of the porous framework solid, together with its stability in both air and boiling water, facilitates the entry of bulky metalloporphyrin guests and the subsequent property studies. On the porphyrin side, four pentafluorophenyl (C6F5-) groups offer multiple fluoro groups to facilitate their replacement by the thiol groups from the host net. The inserted metalloporphyrin bridges impart to the metal-organic framework (MOF) host stable and recyclable activities for photocatalytic hydrogen production. We also disclose an improvement in synthetic methodology, in which BBr3 is used to simultaneously cleave the ester and benzyl thioether groups to more efficiently access thiol-equipped carboxylic acid building block.

Modulator-Controlled Synthesis of Microporous STA-26, an Interpenetrated 8,3-Connected Zirconium MOF with the the-i Topology, and its Reversible Lattice Shift.

A fully interpenetrated 8,3-connected zirconium MOF with the the-i topology type, STA-26 (St Andrews porous material-26), has been prepared using the 4,4',4"-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3,5-triyl)tribenzoate (TMTB) tritopic linker with formic acid as a modulating agent. In the as-prepared form STA-26 possesses Im3‾ m symmetry compared with the Pm3‾ m symmetry of the non-interpenetrated analogue, NU-1200, prepared using benzoic acid as a modulator. Upon removal of residual solvent there is a shift between the interpenetrating lattices and a resultant symmetry change to Cmcm which is fully reversible. This is observed by X-ray diffraction and 13 C MAS NMR is also found to be remarkably sensitive to the structural transition. Furthermore, heating STA-26(Zr) in vacuum dehydroxylates the Zr6 nodes leaving coordinatively unsaturated Zr4+ sites, as shown by IR spectroscopy using CO and CD3 CN as probe molecules. Nitrogen adsorption at 77 K together with grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations confirms a microporous, fully interpenetrated, structure with pore volume 0.53 cm3 g-1 while CO2 adsorption at 196 K reaches 300 cm3 STP g-1 at 1 bar. While the pore volume is smaller than that of its non-interpenetrated mesoporous analogue, interpenetration makes the structure more stable to moisture adsorption and introduces shape selectivity in adsorption.

A Permanently Porous Yttrium-Organic Framework Based on an Extended Tridentate Phosphine Containing Linker.

The metal-organic framework [Y(tbpp)]·nDMF (1) was synthesized from yttrium(III) nitrate and the tritopic linker tris(4'-carboxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)phosphine (H3tbpp). The distance between the coordinating atoms of the carboxylate groups of the extended tridentate phosphine linker is more than 1.8 nm, resulting in an average pore dimension of 0.9 nm in the noninterpenetrated metal-organic framework. The material exhibits high thermal stability and permanent porosity after removal of guest molecules from the one-dimensional pore system. The desolvated compound adsorbs nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Favorable adsorption of CO2 over N2 is predicted using ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST). The isosteric enthalpies of adsorption of H2 and CO2 of -7 and -22 kJ mol-1, respectively, are representative for metal-organic frameworks with no accessible strong host-guest binding sites, despite the bifunctional nature of the organic ligand. The absence of strong specific adsorption sites was confirmed by in situ powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction of the reversible isobaric CO2 sorption process. Analysis of the diffraction data indicates that the CO2 molecules in the pores are disordered and nonlocalized. Despite this, it was possible to quantify the evolution of the occupation of the pores. CO2 is adsorbed at an approximately constant below 320 K from 10% loading to full capacity at 195 K.

A water-stable lanthanide metal-organic framework for fluorimetric detection of ferric ions and tryptophan

The preparation of a highly water stable and porous lanthanide metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles (denoted SUMOF-7II; SU refers to Stockholm University) is described. SUMOF-7II was synthesized starting from the tritopic linker of 2,4,6-tri-p-carboxyphenyl pyridine (H3L2) and La(III) as metal clusters. SUMOF-7II forms a stable dispersion and displays high fluorescence emission with small variation over the pH range of 6 to 12. Its fluorescence is selectively quenched by Fe(III) ions compared to other metal ions. The intensity of the fluorescene emission drops drops linearly in 16.6–167 μM Fe(III) concentration range, and Stern-Volmer plots are linear. The limit of detection (LOD) is 16.6 μM (at an S/N ratio of >3). This indicator probe can also be used for selective detection of tryptophan among several amino acids. Compared to the free linker H3L2, SUMOF-7II offers improved sensitivity and selectivity of the investigated species.Graphical abstractA water-stable porous lanthanide metal-organic framework SUMOF-7II (La) has shown to be an excellent probe for the detection of ferric ions among other metal ions, and tryptophan among other amino acids in aqueous solution. The new probe displays high and stable fluorescence signal in a wide pH range (6–12).

Modification of Network and Pore Dimensionality in Metal–Organic Frameworks Containing a Secondary Phosphine Functionality

Three new metal–organic frameworks containing a triphenylphosphine moiety, namely, [Zn3(tpp)2(DMF)2]·nDMF (1), [Zn3(tpp)2(4,4′-bpy)2]·nDMF (2), and [Zn3(tpp)2(3,3′-bpy)]·nDMF (3), were synthesized using 4,4′,4″-phosphanetriyltribenzoic acid (H3tpp) as a tritopic linker. The absence or presence of additional N-donor linker molecules in the reaction mixture lead to the formation of (3,6)-c layered, (3,8)-c pillared layered, or (3,4,6)-c frameworks. Compound 1 is composed of a trinuclear zinc secondary building unit (SBU) and the tpp3– anion arranged in a layered (3,6)-c network with kgd topology. There are DMF guest molecules coordinated to the terminal Zn atoms of the trinuclear inorganic SBU. The addition of the neutral N-donor molecules 3,3′-bipyridine (3,3′-bpy) and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) as second organic linker molecule lead to an increase of dimensionality of the networks. Compound 2 is a (3,4,6)-nodal three-dimensional MOF. Its structure consists of two equivalent interpenetrated nets with the point symbol (52·64)(52·6)2(54·66·72·8·92) containing solvent filled pockets. The free electron pair of the phosphorus atom of the triphenylphosphine moiety is pointing toward the zero-dimensional pores. The structure of 3 can be described as layers of 1 which are connected by 3,3′-bipyridine as pillar into a three-dimensional (3,8)-c network with the point symbol (43)2(46·618·84). The non-interpenetrated structure of 3 contains a solvent filled three-dimensional pore system. All three materials exhibit uptake of CO2 at 195 K after removal of the guest DMF molecules. This is particularly surprising for 2, with its zero-dimensional pores in the single-crystal structure and absence of N2 adsorption at 77 K. Compound 3 shows a large gate opening effect for CO2 adsorption at 195 K.

The Role of Modulators in Controlling Layer Spacings in a Tritopic Linker Based Zirconium 2D Microporous Coordination Polymer.

A 2D zirconium-based microporous coordination polymer derived from the tritopic linker 1,3,5-(4-carboxylphenyl)benzene, UMCM-309a, has been synthesized. This noninterpenetrated material possesses a Zr6(μ3-O)4(μ3-OH)4(RCO2)6(OH)6(H2O)6 cluster with six hexagonal-planar-coordinated linkers. UMCM-309a is stable in an aqueous HCl solution for over 4 months. The use of different monocarboxylates as modulators leads to similar 2D structures with different layer spacings; moreover, removal of the modulator yields the parent UMCM-309a.

Multicomponent Self-Assembly of Thiolato- and Selenato-Bridged Ester-Functionalized Rhenium(I)-Based Trigonal Metallaprisms: Synthesis and Structural Characterization

Multicomponent self-assembly of Re2(CO)10, diaryl dichalcogenide ligands (REER), and phenyl-1,3,5-tris(isonicotinate) (ptin) under solvothermal conditions has resulted in the formation of chalcogen-bridged trigonal metallaprisms of the general formula [{(CO)3Re(μ-ER)2Re(CO)3}3(μ3-ptin)2] (1–5), wherein E = S, Se and R = phenyl, p-tolyl, benzyl. Oxidative addition of diaryl disulfide/diaryl diselenide to Re2(CO)10 with the ester-functionalized tritopic linker ptin has yielded trigonal metallaprisms 1–5 under facile reaction conditions. The metallaprisms 1–5 have been characterized using elemental analysis and IR, UV–vis, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Single-crystal X-ray structures have been obtained for 3 and 4. The structural features and chirality of metallaprisms 3 and 4 in the solid state have been highlighted.

Double-step CO2 sorption and guest-induced single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation in a flexible porous framework.

A new 2D highly flexible and breathing porous framework [CuL(Me2NH)]·DMF·H2O () (H3L = 5-(4'-carboxylphenoxy)nicotinic acid) has been synthesized using a tritopic linker with a flexible joint. The desolvated framework, [CuL(Me2NH)] (), undergoes structural contraction, and exhibits selective and double-step hysteretic adsorption for CO2. Furthermore, on exposure to CH2Cl2 at room temperature, a unique single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation occurred between and [Cu2L2(Me2NH)2(H2O)2]·5H2O ().

SUMOF-5: a mesoporous metal-organic framework with the tbo topology built from the dicopper paddle-wheel cluster and a new tritopic linker

A mesoporous metal-organic framework Cu 3 (PTB) 2 (H 2 O) 3 · guest (denoted as SUMOF-5) has been synthesized using a new tritopic linker pyridine-2,4,6-tribenzoic acid (H 3 PTB). SUMOF-5 is cubic with the space group Fm-3m and a = 47.272(3) Å. The framework is built of the dicopper paddle-wheel secondary building unit (SBU) [Cu 2 (OOC) 4 (H 2 O) 2 ] and contains two different äcavities of 1.22 and 2.33 nm in diameter, respectively. The framework topology follows the (3,4)-connected tbo net, and can be regarded as an extended version of Cu 3 (BTC) 2 (H 2 O) 3 · guest (HKUST-1, BTC = benzene tricarboxylate). The structure of SUMOF-5 is compared to other MOFs built from dicopper paddle-wheels and tritopic linkers. SUMOF-5 has permanent porosity with a Langmuir surface area of 1733 m 2 /g and is stable in various organic solvents, which makes this material potentially useful as a crystalline carrier for loading molecular catalysts or drugs.