Linker Substituents Control the Thermodynamic Stability in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

We report the first systematic experimental and theoretical study of the relationship between the linker functionalization and the thermodynamic stability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using a model set of eight isostructural zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) based on 2-substituted imidazolate linkers. The frameworks exhibit a significant (30 kJ·mol-1) variation in the enthalpy of formation depending on the choice of substituent, which is accompanied by only a small change in molar volume. These energetics were readily reproduced by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We show that these variations in the enthalpy of MOF formation are in linear correlation to the readily accessible properties of the linker substituent, such as the Hammett σ-constant or electrostatic surface potential. These results provide the first quantifiable relationship between the MOF thermodynamics and the linker structure, suggesting a route to design and tune MOF stability.

Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation of the Stability of True MOF Polymorphs Explains Their Mechanochemical Interconversions.

We provide the first combined experimental and theoretical evaluation of how differences in ligand structure and framework topology affect the relative stabilities of isocompositional (i.e., true polymorph) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). We used solution calorimetry and periodic DFT calculations to analyze the thermodynamics of two families of topologically distinct polymorphs of zinc zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) based on 2-methyl- and 2-ethylimidazolate linkers, demonstrating a correlation between measured thermodynamic stability and density, and a pronounced effect of the ligand substituent on their stability. The results show that mechanochemical syntheses and transformations of ZIFs are consistent with Ostwald's rule of stages and proceed toward thermodynamically increasingly stable, more dense phases.

In Situ Monitoring and Mechanism of the Mechanochemical Formation of a Microporous MOF-74 Framework.

Mechanochemistry provides a rapid, efficient route to metal-organic framework Zn-MOF-74 directly from a metal oxide and without bulk solvent. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction monitoring of the reaction course reveals two new phases and an unusual stepwise process in which a close-packed intermediate reacts to form the open framework. The reaction can be performed on a gram scale to yield a highly porous material after activation.

Development of C-N coupling using mechanochemistry: catalytic coupling of arylsulfonamides and carbodiimides.

Reported herein is the mechanochemical synthesis of sulfonyl guanidines, a family of molecules which are relevant as pharmaceuticals and herbicides, by direct coupling of sulfonamides and aromatic or aliphatic carbodiimides. Attempts to conduct the coupling in solution have either failed or given very low conversions, thus demonstrating mechanochemistry as the necessary component for the discovery of this synthetic strategy.

Catalytic Room-Temperature C-N Coupling of Amides and Isocyanates by Using Mechanochemistry.

A mechanochemical route is developed for room-temperature and solvent-free derivatization of different types of amides into carbamoyl isatins (up to 96 % conversion or yield), benzamides (up to 81 % yield), and imides (up to 92 % yield). In solution, this copper-catalyzed coupling either does not take place or requires high temperatures at which it may also be competing with alternative thermal reactivity, highlighting the beneficial role of mechanochemistry for this reaction. Such behavior resembles the previously investigated coupling with sulfonamide substrates, suggesting that this type of C-N coupling is an example of a mechanochemically favored reaction, for which mechanochemistry appears to be a favored environment over solution.

Computational evaluation of metal pentazolate frameworks: inorganic analogues of azolate metal-organic frameworks.

Pentazolate is the ultimate all-nitrogen, inorganic member of the azolate series of aromatic 5-membered ring anions. As an azolate ligand, it has the potential to form open framework structures with metal ions, that would be inorganic analogues of azolate metal-organic frameworks formed by its congeners. However, while the low stability and elusive nature of the pentazolate ion have so far prevented the synthesis of such frameworks, computational studies have focused on pentazolate exclusively as a ligand that would form discrete metallocene structures. Encouraged by the recent first isolation and structural characterization of pentazolate salts and metal complexes stable at ambient conditions, we now explore the role of pentazolate as a framework-forming ligand. We report a computational periodic density-functional theory evaluation of the energetics and topological preferences of putative metal pentazolate frameworks, which also revealed a topologically novel framework structure.

Redox-promoted associative assembly of metal-organic materials.

We develop an associative synthesis of metal-organic materials that combines solid-state metal oxidation and coordination-driven self-assembly into a one-step, waste-free transformation. The methodology hinges on the unique reactivity of ortho-quinones, which we introduce as versatile oxidants for mechanochemical synthesis. Our strategy opens a previously unexplored route to paramagnetic metal-organic materials from elementary metals.

In situ X-ray diffraction monitoring of a mechanochemical reaction reveals a unique topology metal-organic framework.

Chemical and physical transformations by milling are attracting enormous interest for their ability to access new materials and clean reactivity, and are central to a number of core industries, from mineral processing to pharmaceutical manufacturing. While continuous mechanical stress during milling is thought to create an environment supporting nonconventional reactivity and exotic intermediates, such speculations have remained without proof. Here we use in situ, real-time powder X-ray diffraction monitoring to discover and capture a metastable, novel-topology intermediate of a mechanochemical transformation. Monitoring the mechanochemical synthesis of an archetypal metal-organic framework ZIF-8 by in situ powder X-ray diffraction reveals unexpected amorphization, and on further milling recrystallization into a non-porous material via a metastable intermediate based on a previously unreported topology, herein named katsenite (kat). The discovery of this phase and topology provides direct evidence that milling transformations can involve short-lived, structurally unusual phases not yet accessed by conventional chemistry.

Circular serendipity: in situ ligand transformation for the self-assembly of an hexadecametallic [Cu(II)16] wheel.

A [Cu(II)16] wheel was isolated serendipitously from the reaction of acetylacetone dioxime with copper(ii) chloride and lanthanide ions in a reaction initially designed to produce heterometallic 3d-4f cages. The ligand has been transformed in situ to three different forms, all found within the [Cu16] wheel, with the original ligand completely absent.

High-spin Ni(II) clusters: triangles and planar tetranuclear complexes.

The exploration of the NiX(2)/py(2)CO/Et(3)N (X = F, Cl, Br, I; py(2)CO = di-2-pyridyl ketone; Et(3)N = triethylamine) reaction system led to the tetranuclear [Ni(4)Cl(2){py(2)C(OH)O}(2){py(2)C(OMe)O}(2)(MeOH)(2)]Cl(2)·2Et(2)O (1·2Et(2)O) and [Ni(4)Br(2){py(2)C(OH)O}(2){py(2)C(OMe)O}(2)(MeOH)(2)]Br(2)·2Et(2)O (2·2Et(2)O) and the trinuclear [Ni(3){py(2)C(OMe)O}(4)]I(2)·2.5MeOH (3·2.6MeOH), [Ni(3){py(2)C(OMe)O}(4)](NO(3))(0.65)I(1.35)·2MeOH (4·2MeOH) and [Ni(3){py(2)C(OMe)O}(4)](SiF(6))(0.8)F(0.4)·3.5MeOH (5·3.5MeOH) aggregates. The presence of the intermediate size Cl(-) and Br(-) anions resulted in planar tetranuclear complexes with a dense hexagonal packing of cations and donor atoms (tetramolybdate topology) where the X(-) anions participate in the core acting as bridging ligands. The F(-) and I(-) anions do not favour the above arrangement resulting in triangular complexes with an isosceles topology. The magnetic properties of 1-3 have been studied by variable-temperature dc, variable-temperature and variable-field ac magnetic susceptibility techniques and magnetization measurements. All complexes are high-spin with ground states S = 4 for 1 and 2 and S = 3 for 3.