Expanding the Transuranic Metal-Organic Framework Portfolio: The Optical Properties of Americium(III) MOF-76.

Reported is the synthesis, crystal structure, and solid-state characterization of a new americium containing metal-organic framework (MOF), [Am(CHO)(HO)], . This material is constructed from Am metal centers and 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (BTC) ligands, forming a porous three-dimensional framework that is isostructural with several known trivalent lanthanide (Ln) analogs (e.g.

Role of Transition Metals in Metal-Organic Frameworks as Nanoporous Ion Emitters for Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that allows for precise determination of isotopic ratios. Analysis of low abundance samples, however, can be limited by the ionization efficiency. Following an investigation into a new type of metal-organic hybrid material, nanoporous ion emitters (nano-PIEs), devised to promote the emission of analyte ions and reduce traditional sample loading challenges, this work evaluates the impact that changing the metal in the material has on the ionization of uranium (U).

Porous Colloidal Nanoparticles as Injectable Multimodal Contrast Agents for Enhanced Geophysical Sensing.

Injecting fluids into underground geologic structures is crucial for the development of long-term strategies for managing captured carbon and facilitating sustainable energy extraction operations. We have previously reported that the injection of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into the subsurface can enhance seismic monitoring tools to track fluids and map complex structures, reduce risk, and verify containment in carbon storage reservoirs because of their absorption capacity of low-frequency seismic waves. Here, we demonstrate that water-based Cr/Zn/Zr MOF colloidal suspensions (nanofluids) are multimodal geophysical contrast agents that enhance near-wellbore logging tools.

Designing Porous Ion Emitters for Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Evaluating Metal-Organic Frameworks.

This work describes the first exploration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as "next-generation" ion emitters for thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). MOFs were identified as promising candidates for this application given the synthetic control over their desired structural properties. This tunability results in well-ordered, high-surface-area, high-porosity frameworks with targeted sorption affinities.

Multifunctional Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks for Radionuclide Sequestration and Detection.

Two lanthanide-containing porous coordination polymers, [Ln(bpdc)(phen)]·HO () and [Ln(bpdc)(terpy)]·3HO () (Ln = Pr, Nd, or Sm-Dy; bpdc: 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid; phen: 1,10-phenanthroline; and terpy: 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic analyses reveal that compounds and feature Ln-containing dimeric nodes that form a porous two-dimensional (2D) and nonporous three-dimensional (3D) framework, respectively. Each material is stable in aqueous media between pH 3 and 10 and exhibits modest thermal stability up to ∼400 °C.

Cubane-forming cyclic dienes that exhibit orthogonal reactivities in the solid state.

Photoirradiation of a binary cocrystal composed of two different cyclic dienes generates a highly-symmetric cubane-like tetraacid cage regioselectively and in quantitative yield. The cage forms by a double [2+2] photodimerization of one of the diene cocrystal components. The second diene while photostable in the cocrystal reacts in a double [2+2] photodimerization as a pure form quantitatively to form a tetramethyl cubane-like cage.

Supramolecular construction of a cyclobutane ring system with four different substituents in the solid state.

Methods to form cyclobutane rings by an intermolecular [2 + 2] cross-photoreaction (CPR) with four different substituents are rare. These reactions are typically performed in the liquid phase, involve multiple steps, and generate product mixtures. Here, we report a CPR that generates a cyclobutane ring with four different aryl substituents.

Molecular Intermediate in the Directed Formation of a Zeolitic Metal-Organic Framework.

Directed synthesis promises control over architecture and function of framework materials. In practice, however, designing such syntheses requires a detailed understanding of the multistep pathways of framework formations, which remain elusive. By identifying intermediate coordination complexes, this study provides insights into the complex role of a structure-directing agent (SDA) in the synthetic realization of a promising material.

Kinetics and Mechanisms of ZnO to ZIF-8 Transformations in Supercritical CO Revealed by In Situ X-ray Diffraction.

ZIF-8 was synthesized in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO ). In situ powder X-ray diffraction, ex situ microscopy, and simulations provide an encompassing view of the formation of ZIF-8 and intermediary ZnO@ZIF-8 composites in this nontraditional solvent. Time-resolved imaging exposed divergent physicochemical reaction pathways from previous studies of the growth of anisotropic ZIF-8 core@shell structures in traditional solvents.

Diversifying molecular and topological space via a supramolecular solid-state synthesis: a purely organic mok net sustained by hydrogen bonds.

A three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network based on a rare topology has been constructed using an organic molecule synthesized in the solid state. The molecule is obtained using a supramolecular protecting-group strategy that is applied to a solid-state [2+2] photodimerization. The photodimerization affords a novel head-to-head cyclo-butane product.

Channel Confinement of Aromatic Petrochemicals via Aryl-Perfluoroaryl Interactions With a B←N Host.

We report channel confinement properties of an electron-deficient boron host derived from the orthogonal B←N interaction between a boronic ester and -pentafluorostilbazole. The boron host forms one-dimensional channels in the crystalline solid state when crystallized with common electron-rich aromatic petrochemicals (i.e.

Isoreticular Expansion of Metal-Organic Frameworks via Pillaring of Metal Templated Tunable Building Layers: Hydrogen Storage and Selective CO Capture.

The deliberate construction of isoreticular eea-metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Cu-eea-1, Cu-eea-2 and Cu-eea-3) and rtl-MOFs (Co-rtl-1 and Co-rtl-2) has been accomplished based on the ligand-to-axial pillaring of supermolecular building layers. The use of different metal ions resulted in two types of supermolecular building layers (SBLs): Kagome (kgm) and square lattices (sql) which further interconnect to form anticipated 3D-MOFs. The isoreticular expansion of (3,6)-connected Cu-MOFs has been achieved with desired eea-topology based on kgm building layers.

Direct Observation of Li Ions Trapped in a Mg-Templated Metal-Organic Framework.

Herein we report the first example of a metal-organic framework (MOF) in which the location of Li ions trapped in the porous confinement can be unambiguously defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the Li-doped MOF shows significant enhancement in gas uptake as well as selective adsorption of CO over CH.

Desulfurization Efficiency Preserved in a Heterometallic MOF: Synthesis and Thermodynamically Controlled Phase Transition.

Efficient removal of heterocyclic organosulfur compounds from fuels can relieve increasingly serious environmental problems (e.g., gas exhaust contaminants triggering the formation of acid rain that can damage fragile ecological systems).

Hyper-Cross-linked Porous Organic Frameworks with Ultramicropores for Selective Xenon Capture.

Exceptionally stable ultramicroporous C-C-bonded porous organic frameworks (IISERP-POF6, 7, 8) have been prepared using simple Friedel-Crafts reaction. These polymers exhibit permanent porosity with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 645-800 m/g. Xe/Kr adsorptive separation has been carried out with these polymers, and they display selective Xe capture ( s(Xe/Kr) = 6.

Structural flexibility of halogen bonds showed in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2+2] photodimerization.

Halogen bonds have emerged as noncovalent forces that govern the assembly of molecules in organic solids with a degree of reliability akin to hydrogen bonds. Although the structure-directing roles of halogen bonds are often compared to hydrogen bonds, general knowledge concerning the fundamental structural behavior of halogen bonds has had limited opportunity to develop. Following an investigation of solid-state reactions involving organic syntheses and the development of photoresponsive materials, this work demonstrates the ability of the components of intermolecular N⋯I halogen bonding - a 'workhorse' interaction for the crystal engineer - to support a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2+2] photodimerization.

Recovery of xenon from air over ZIF-8 membranes.

Continuous ZIF-8 membranes effectively separated air/Xe gas mixtures. These membranes showed air permeances as high as 3.94 × 10-8 mol m-2 s-1 Pa-1 and separation selectivities as high as 12.

Reduced Magnetism in Core-Shell Magnetite@MOF Composites.

The magnetic susceptibility of synthesized magnetite (FeO) microspheres was found to decline after the growth of a metal-organic framework (MOF) shell on the magnetite core. Detailed structural analysis of the core-shell particles using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, andFe-Mössbauer spectroscopy suggests that the distribution of MOF precursors inside the magnetic core resulted in the oxidation of the iron oxide core.

Metal-Organic Coordination versus Hydrogen Bonding: Highly Efficient Templated Photocycloadditions of Trisubstituted Isomeric Olefins in the Solid State.

Trisubstituted olefins are reactants in template-directed, solid-state [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions. Whereas hydrogen-bond-based templates afford crystalline assemblies with olefins that are photostable, Ag coordination results in carbon-carbon double bonds that react stereoselectively and result in quantitative yield.

Halogen-Bond-Templated [2+2] Photodimerization in the Solid State: Directed Synthesis and Rare Self-Inclusion of a Halogenated Product.

A ditopic halogen-bond acceptor organizes a diiodooctafluorostilbene for a [2+2] photodimerization reaction to take place between two stilbene molecules in the solid state. The resultant cyclobutane product is functionalized with halogen atoms and undergoes self-assembly to form a channel-type host-guest compound that exhibits a very rare form of self-inclusion.

Intramolecular [2 + 2] Photodimerization Achieved in the Solid State via Coordination-Driven Self-Assembly.

An intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition is achieved in the organic solid state via self-assembly of Ag(I) ions and an endo-ditopic bipyridine. The cations aide to organize carbon-carbon double (C═C) bonds attached to the bipyridine for the cycloaddition reaction. The C═C bonds react regioselectively and quantitatively to afford a photoproduct with edge-sharing four-, five-, and six-membered rings.