Protecting-Group-Free Site-Selective Reactions in a Metal-Organic Framework Reaction Vessel.

Site-selective organic transformations are commonly required in the synthesis of complex molecules. By employing a bespoke metal-organic framework (MOF, 1·[Mn(CO)3N3]), in which coordinated azide anions are precisely positioned within 1D channels, we present a strategy for the site-selective transformation of dialkynes into alkyne-functionalized triazoles. As an illustration of this approach, 1,7-octadiyne-3,6-dione stoichiometrically furnishes the mono-"click" product N-methyl-4-hex-5'-ynl-1',4'-dione-1,2,3-triazole with only trace bis-triazole side-product. Stepwise insights into conversions of the MOF reaction vessel were obtained by X-ray crystallography, demonstrating that the reactive sites are "isolated" from one another. Single-crystal to single-crystal transformations of the Mn(I)-metalated material 1·[Mn(CO)3(H2O)]Br to the corresponding azide species 1·[Mn(CO)3N3] with sodium azide, followed by a series of [3+2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions, are reported. The final liberation of the "click" products from the porous material is achieved by N-alkylation with MeBr, which regenerates starting MOF 1·[Mn(CO)3(H2O)]Br and releases the organic products, as characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Once the dialkyne length exceeds the azide separation, site selectivity is lost, confirming the critical importance of isolated azide moieties for this strategy. We postulate that carefully designed MOFs can act as physical protecting groups to facilitate other site-selective and chemoselective transformations.

Mapping-Out Catalytic Processes in a Metal-Organic Framework with Single-Crystal X-ray Crystallography.

Single-crystal X-ray crystallography is employed to characterize the reaction species of a full catalytic carbonylation cycle within a MnII -based metal-organic framework (MOF) material. The structural insights explain why the Rh metalated MOF is catalytically competent toward the carbonylation of MeBr but only affords stoichiometric turn-over in the case of MeI. This work highlights the capability of MOFs to act as platform materials for studying single-site catalysis in heterogeneous systems.

A Facile Synthesis Procedure for Sulfonated Aniline Oligomers with Distinct Microstructures.

Well-defined sulfonated aniline oligomer (SAO) microstructures with rod and flake morphologies were successfully synthesized using an aniline and oxidant with a molar ratio of 10:1 in ethanol and acidic conditions (pH 4.8). The synthesized oligomers showed excellent dispersibility and assembled as well-defined structures in contrast to the shapeless aggregated material produced in a water medium. The synergistic effects among the monomer concentration, oxidant concentration, pH, and reaction medium are shown to be controlling parameters to generate SAO microstructures with distinct morphologies, whether micro sheets or micro rods.

Synthesis, isomerisation and biological properties of mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing the bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]-1,7-heptane ligand.

A series of mononuclear ruthenium(ii) complexes containing the tetradentate ligand bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]-1,7-heptane have been synthesised and their biological properties examined. In the synthesis of the [Ru(phen')(bb7)]2+ complexes (where phen' = 1,10-phenanthroline and its 5-nitro-, 4,7-dimethyl- and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl- derivatives), both the symmetric cis-α and non-symmetric cis-ß isomers were formed. However, upon standing for a number of days (or more quickly under harsh conditions) the cis-ß isomer converted to the more thermodynamically stable cis-α isomer. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the ruthenium(ii) complexes were determined against six strains of bacteria: Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA); and the Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains MG1655, APEC, UPEC and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The results showed that the [Ru(5-NO2phen)(bb7)]2+ complex had little or no activity against any of the bacterial strains. By contrast, for the other cis-α-[Ru(phen')(bb7)]2+ complexes, the antimicrobial activity increased with the degree of methylation. In particular, the cis-α-[Ru(Me4phen)(bb7)]2+ complex showed excellent and uniform MIC activity against all bacteria. By contrast, the MBC values for the cis-α-[Ru(Me4phen)(bb7)]2+ complex varied considerably across the bacteria and even within S. aureus and E. coli strains. In order to gain an understanding of the relative antimicrobial activities, the DNA-binding affinity, cellular accumulation and water-octanol partition coefficients (log P) of the ruthenium complexes were determined. Interestingly, all the [Ru(phen')(bb7)]2+ complexes exhibited stronger DNA binding affinity (Ka ≈ 1 × 107 M-1) than the well-known DNA-intercalating complex [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ (where dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine).

X-ray crystallographic insights into post-synthetic metalation products in a metal-organic framework.

Post-synthetic modification of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) facilitates a strategic transformation of potentially inert frameworks into functionalized materials, tailoring them for specific applications. In particular, the post-synthetic incorporation of transition-metal complexes within MOFs, a process known as 'metalation', is a particularly promising avenue towards functionalizing MOFs. Herein, we describe the post-synthetic metalation of a microporous MOF with various transition-metal nitrates. The parent framework, 1: , contains free-nitrogen donor chelation sites, which readily coordinate metal complexes in a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation which, remarkably, can be readily monitored by X-ray crystallography. The presence of an open void surrounding the chelation site in 1: prompted us to investigate the effect of the MOF pore environment on included metal complexes, particularly examining whether void space would induce changes in the coordination sphere of chelated complexes reminiscent of those found in the solution state. To test this hypothesis, we systematically metalated 1: with first-row transition-metal nitrates and elucidated the coordination environment of the respective transition-metal complexes using X-ray crystallography. Comparison of the coordination sphere parameters of coordinated transition-metal complexes in 1: against equivalent solid- and solution-state species suggests that the void space in 1: does not markedly influence the coordination sphere of chelated species but we show notably different post-synthetic metalation outcomes when different solvents are used.This article is part of the themed issue 'Coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks: materials by design'.

Site-specific metal and ligand substitutions in a microporous Mn(2+)-based metal-organic framework.

The precise tuning of the structural and chemical features of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a crucial endeavour for developing materials with properties that are suitable for specific applications. In recent times, techniques for preparing frameworks consisting of mixed-metal or ligand compositions have emerged. However, controlled spatial organisation of the components within these structures at the molecular scale is a difficult challenge, particularly when species possessing similar geometries or chemical properties are used. Here, we describe the synthesis of mixed-metal and ligand variants possessing the Mn3L3 (Mn-MOF-1; H2L = bis(4-(4'-carboxyphenyl)-3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane) structure type. In the case of mixed-ligand synthesis using a mixture of L and its trifluoromethyl-functionalised derivative (H2L' = bis(4-(4'-carboxyphenyl)-3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolyl)methane), a mixed-ligand product in which the L' species predominanantly occupies the pillar sites lining the pores is obtained. Meanwhile, post-synthetic metal exchange of the parent Mn3L3 compound using Fe(2+) or Fe(3+) ions results in a degree of cation exchange at the trinuclear carboxylate-based clusters and metalation at the pillar bispyrazolate sites. The results demonstrate the versatility of the Mn3L3 structure type toward both metal and ligand substitutions, and the potential utility of site-specific functionalisations in achieving even greater precision in the tuning of MOFs.

Endohedrally functionalised porous organic cages.

The synthesis and characterisation of two novel, functionalised porous organic cages are presented. We demonstrate that a step-wise approach to the synthesis of these robust C-C bonded cages allows for the introduction of a controlled number of endohedral pyridine functional groups. In addition, kinetic processing is used to access permanently porous morphologies.

Probing post-synthetic metallation in metal-organic frameworks: insights from X-ray crystallography.

For post-synthetic metallation (PSMet) of a metal­organic framework (MOF, [Mn3(L2)(L')] = 1) we show a solvent dependency for the form of the metallated product. PSMet of 1 with MnCl2 in ethanol leads to a single metal entity per coordinating site while acetonitrile yields a remarkably complex multiply metallated product; thus, determining the extent of metallation requires an intimate understanding of the chemistry occurring in the MOF pores.

A 3-D diamondoid MOF catalyst based on in situ generated [Cu(L)2] N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) linkers: hydroboration of CO2.

A new MOF, [Zn4O{Cu(L)2}2] (1), with a 4-fold interpenetrated 3D diamondoid structure was synthesised from in situ generated [Cu(L)2] NHC linkers. MOF 1 possesses tetrahedral Zn4O nodes, which are unusually coordinated by four pairs of carboxylates from four [Cu(L)2] linkers, and 14 Å 1-D pore channels lined with [Cu(L)2] moieties that catalyse the hydroboration of CO2.

Capturing snapshots of post-synthetic metallation chemistry in metal-organic frameworks.

Post-synthetic metallation is employed strategically to imbue metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with enhanced performance characteristics. However, obtaining precise structural information for metal-centred reactions that take place within the pores of these materials has remained an elusive goal, because of issues with high symmetry in certain MOFs, lower initial crystallinity for some chemically robust MOFs, and the reduction in crystallinity that can result from carrying out post-synthetic reactions on parent crystals. Here, we report a new three-dimensional MOF possessing pore cavities that are lined with vacant di-pyrazole groups poised for post-synthetic metallation. These metallations occur quantitatively without appreciable loss of crystallinity, thereby enabling examination of the products by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. To illustrate the potential of this platform to garner fundamental insight into metal-catalysed reactions in porous solids we use single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies to structurally elucidate the reaction products of consecutive oxidative addition and methyl migration steps that occur within the pores of the Rh-metallated MOF, 1·[Rh(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2].

Tricyanovinylalkynyl-metal complexes: synthesis and some reactions.

Reactions of Group 8 metal ethynyls with tetracyanoethene afford tricyanovinylethynyl-metal derivatives, M{C[triple bond]CC(CN)=C(CN)(2)}(PP)Cp' [2; M = Ru, Os; PP = (PPh(3))(2), dppe; Cp' = Cp, Cp*; not all combinations]; a similar reaction occurs with the vinylidene RuCl(=C=CHPh)(PPh(3))Cp. Further replacement of a CN group in occurs with nucleophiles, while homo- and hetero-metallic derivatives are obtained by coordination of one of the remaining CN groups to other metal-ligand fragments.