Control over catenation in metal-organic frameworks via rational design of the organic building block.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a hybrid class of materials comprising inorganic nodes and organic struts, have potential application in many areas due to their high surface areas and uniform pores and channels. One of the key challenges to be overcome in MOF synthesis is the strong propensity for catenation (growth of multiple independent networks within a given crystal), as catenation reduces cavity sizes and diminishes porosity. Here we demonstrate that rational design of organic building blocks, which act as strut-impervious scaffolds, can be exploited to generate highly desired noncatenated materials in a controlled fashion.
Farha
Omar K
OK
Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. o-farha@northwestern.edu
Malliakas
Christos D
CD
Kanatzidis
Mercouri G
MG
Hupp
Joseph T
JT
D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature
D008024:Ligands; D009942:Organometallic Compounds