Symmetry-Mismatched SBU Transformation in MOFs: Postsynthetic Metal Exchange from Zn to Fe and Its Effects on Gas Adsorption and Dye Selectivity.

This research explores the alteration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using a method called postsynthetic metal exchange. We focus on the shift from a Zn-based MOF containing a [ZnO(COO)] secondary building unit (SBU) of octahedral site symmetry (ANT-1(Zn)) to a Fe-based one with a [FeO(COO)] SBU of trigonal prismatic site symmetry (ANT-1(Fe)). The symmetry-mismatched SBU transformation cleverly maintains the MOF's overall structure by adjusting the conformation of the flexible 1,3,5-benzenetribenzoate linker to alleviate the framework strain.

Superprotonic Conductivity of MOFs Confining Zwitterionic Sulfamic Acid as Proton Source and Conducting Medium.

A few metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which typically use strong acids as proton sources, display superprotonic conductivity (≈10  S cm ); however, they are rare due to the instability of MOFs in highly acidic conditions. For the first time, we report superprotonic conductivity using a moderately acidic guest, zwitterionic sulfamic acid (HSA), which is encapsulated in MOF-808 and MIL-101. HSA acts not only as a proton source but also as a proton-conducting medium due to its extensive hydrogen bonding ability and zwitterion effect.

Ligand functionalization of defect-engineered Ni-MOF-74.

Incorporating functionality into the framework of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has attracted substantial interest because the physical and chemical properties of MOFs can be tuned by functionalizing pores. The ligand functionalization of MOF-74 is challenging because of its pristine organic ligand and framework structure. Herein, we report a series of ligand-functionalized Ni-MOF-74 derivatives synthesized by defect engineering using a mixed-ligand approach.

Spatial distribution modulation of mixed building blocks in metal-organic frameworks.

The placement of mixed building blocks at precise locations in metal-organic frameworks is critical to creating pore environments suitable for advanced applications. Here we show that the spatial distribution of mixed building blocks in metal-organic frameworks can be modulated by exploiting the different temperature sensitivities of the diffusion coefficients and exchange rate constants of the building blocks. By tuning the reaction temperature of the forward linker exchange from one metal-organic framework to another isoreticular metal-organic framework, core-shell microstructural and uniform microstructural metal-organic frameworks are obtained.

Creating Tunable Mesoporosity by Temperature-Driven Localized Crystallite Agglomeration.

A new synthetic approach for tunable mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MeMs) is developed. In this approach, mesopores are created in the process of heat conversion of highly mosaic metal-organic framework (MOF) crystals with non-interpenetrated low-density nanocrystallites into MOF crystals with two-fold interpenetrated high-density nanocrystallites. The two-fold interpenetration reduces the volume of the nanocrystallites in the mosaic crystal, and the accompanying localized agglomeration of the nanocrystallites results in the formation of mesopores among the localized crystallite agglomerates.

Resonantly Pumped Bright-Triplet Exciton Lasing in Cesium Lead Bromide Perovskites.

The surprising recent observation of highly emissive triplet-states in lead halide perovskites accounts for their orders-of-magnitude brighter optical signals and high quantum efficiencies compared to other semiconductors. This makes them attractive for future optoelectronic applications, especially in bright low-threshold nanolasers. While nonresonantly pumped lasing from all-inorganic lead-halide perovskites is now well-established as an attractive pathway to scalable low-power laser sources for nano-optoelectronics, here we showcase a resonant optical pumping scheme on a fast triplet-state in CsPbBr nanocrystals.

Superprotonic Conductivity of MOF-808 Achieved by Controlling the Binding Mode of Grafted Sulfamate.

A metal-organic framework (MOF) having superprotonic conductivity, MOF-808, is prepared by modulating the binding mode of the sulfamate (SA) moieties grafted onto the metal clusters. The activation of the SA-grafted MOF-808 at 150 °C changes the binding mode of the grafted SA from monodentate to bridging bidentate, thus converting the neutral amido (-S-NH ) moiety of the grafted SA to the more acidic cationic sulfiliminium (-S=NH ) moiety. Further, the acidic sulfiliminium moiety of MOF-808-4SA-150 results in more efficient proton conduction than the amido moiety of MOF-808-4SA-60.

Amine-Tagged Fragmented Ligand Installation for Covalent Modification of MOF-74.

MOF-74 is one of the most explored metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), but its functionalization is limited to the dative post-synthetic modification (PSM) of the monodentate solvent site. Owing to the nature of the organic ligand and framework structure of MOF-74, the covalent PSM of MOF-74 is very demanding. Herein, we report, for the first time, the covalent PSM of amine-tagged defective Ni-MOF-74, which is prepared by de novo solvothermal synthesis by using aminosalicylic acid as a functionalized fragmented organic ligand.

Pore space partition of a fragile Ag(i)-carboxylate framework via post-synthetic linker insertion.

The pore space partition approach via post-synthetic linker insertion was used to modulate the porosity of a fragile Ag(i)-carboxylate framework with potentially large pore space. The resulting Ag(i)-MOFs with partitioned pores showed enhanced permanent porosity compared with a nonpartitioned Ag(i)-carboxylate framework.

Selective separation of Xe/Kr and adsorption of water in a microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework.

We have studied the adsorption properties of Xe and Kr in a highly microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework based on 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene, named HOF-BTB. HOF-BTB can reversibly adsorb both noble gases, and it shows a higher affinity for Xe than Kr. At 1 bar, the adsorption amounts of Xe were 3.

Symmetry-guided syntheses of mixed-linker Zr metal-organic frameworks with precise linker locations.

While the one-pot reaction of zirconium metal ions with a mixture of two dicarboxylate heterolinkers yielded a 12-c Zr MOF with randomly distributed linkers, the symmetry-guided stepwise reaction produced the same MOF with both linkers precisely located in the framework. In the latter method, linear terephthalic acid (HBDC) derivatives with symmetry were inserted into the -symmetry sites of the flexible Zr MOF with 8-c topology (), which is composed of zigzag 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid with 2/ symmetry. Although the length of the symmetry-matching BDC derivatives was much shorter than the distance between the unlinked nearest-neighbor Zr clusters in , induced fitting of the derivatives into the framework was possible, resulting in well-defined locations for the two different dicarboxylate linkers.

Efficient separation of C hydrocarbons in a permanently porous hydrogen-bonded organic framework.

A highly robust porous hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) constructed by 4,4',4''-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tris(benzoic acid) not only achieves the highest uptakes of ethylene and ethane among the HOF materials, but also exhibits unusual adsorption selectivity of C2H6 over other C2 gases. Besides, it exhibits the second highest acetylene uptake among all the reported HOF materials.

High-temperature in situ crystallographic observation of reversible gas sorption in impermeable organic cages.

Crystallographic observation of adsorbed gas molecules is a highly difficult task due to their rapid motion. Here, we report the in situ single-crystal and synchrotron powder X-ray observations of reversible CO2 sorption processes in an apparently nonporous organic crystal under varying pressures at high temperatures. The host material is formed by hydrogen bond network between 1,3,5-tris-(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H3BTB) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and by π-π stacking between the H3BTB moieties.

Activated carbon derived from waste coffee grounds for stable methane storage.

An activated carbon material derived from waste coffee grounds is shown to be an effective and stable medium for methane storage. The sample activated at 900 °C displays a surface area of 1040.3 m(2) g(-1) and a micropore volume of 0.

Initial surface reaction of di-lsopropylaminosilane on a fully hydroxyl-terminated Si (001) surface.

We studied the interaction of di-isopropylaminosilane (SiH3N(C3H7)2, DIPAS) molecules with a fully hydroxyl-terminated Si (001) surface for SiO2 thin-film growth by using density functional theory. The amino group consisting of DIPAS was chosen in order to obtain a high adsorption energy because its lone-pair electrons in the N atom would help in the adsorption of DIPAS. The absolute value of the adsorption energy (0.

Self-assembled thermally highly stable 1-dimensional proton arrays.

From a red proton complex of aldehyde derivatives of polyaromatic hydrocarbon with strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding, which are novel examples of intermolecular proton-bonded aldehydes of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, we find one-dimensional proton arrangement. The complex formed as 9-antraldehyde (Ant-CHO) reacts with HAuCl(4) to form [(Ant-CHO)(2)H](+)[AuCl(4)](-) under dry condition, which are confirmed by single-crystal structure determination and infrared spectra analysis at varying temperatures. Since the compounds of distinctively hydrophobic nature are soluble only in limited organic polar solvents, the strong hydrogen bonds are clearly observed from both the electron density of X-ray analysis and the characteristic signature of the IR frequency.

Thermodynamics of partitioning of substance P in isotropic bicelles.

The temperature dependence of the partition of a neuropeptide, substance P (SP), in isotropic (q = 0.5) bicelles was investigated by using pulsed field gradient NMR diffusion technique. The partition coefficient decreases as the temperature is increased from 295 to 325 K, indicating a favorable (negative) enthalpy change upon partitioning of the peptide.

NMR structural studies of the antibiotic lipopeptide daptomycin in DHPC micelles.

Daptomycin is a cyclic anionic lipopeptide that exerts its rapid bactericidal effect by perturbing the bacterial cell membrane, a mode of action different from most other currently commercially available antibiotics (except e.g. polymyxin and gramicidin).