The post-synthesis modification (PSM) of MOFs for catalysis.

While there are myriad ways to construct metal-organic framework (MOF) based catalysts, the introduction of catalytic functionality covalent post-synthesis functionalization (PSM) offers multiple advantages: (i) a wide range of different catalyst types are generated from a handful of well-known parent MOFs, (ii) MOF catalyst properties can be systematically tuned while changing few variables, and (iii) catalytically active functional groups that would otherwise interfere with MOF assembly can be introduced facilely. This last advantage is particularly crucial for our quest to generate MOF active sites that are decorated with multiple functional groups capable of cooperative activity, analogous to enzyme active sites.