Multivariate Flexible Framework with High Usable Hydrogen Capacity in a Reduced Pressure Swing Process.

Step-shaped adsorption-desorption of gaseous payloads by flexible metal-organic frameworks can facilitate the delivery of large usable capacities with significantly reduced energetic penalties. This is desirable for the storage, transport, and delivery of H2, as prototypical adsorbents require large swings in pressure and temperature to achieve usable capacities approaching their total capacities. However, the weak physisorption of H2 typically necessitates undesirably high pressures to induce the framework phase change. As de novo design of flexible frameworks is exceedingly challenging, the ability to intuitively adapt known frameworks is required. We demonstrate that the multivariate linker approach is a powerful tool for tuning the phase change behavior of flexible frameworks. In this work, 2-methyl-5,6-difluorobenzimidazolate was solvothermally incorporated into the known framework CdIF-13 (sod-Cd(benzimidazolate)2), resulting in the multivariate framework sod-Cd(benzimidazolate)1.87(2-methyl-5,6-difluorobenzimidazolate)0.13 (ratio = 14:1), which exhibited a considerably reduced stepped adsorption threshold pressure while maintaining the desirable adsorption-desorption profile and capacity of CdIF-13. At 77 K, the multivariate framework exhibits stepped H2 adsorption with saturation below 50 bar and minimal desorption hysteresis at 5 bar. At 87 K, saturation of step-shaped adsorption occurs by 90 bar, with hysteresis closing at 30 bar. These adsorption-desorption profiles enable usable capacities in a mild pressure swing process above 1 mass %, representing 85-92% of the total capacities. This work demonstrates that the desirable performance of flexible frameworks can be readily adapted through the multivariate approach to enable efficient storage and delivery of weakly physisorbing species.

Adaptive Pore Opening to Form Tailored Adsorption Sites in a Cooperatively Flexible Framework Enables Record Inverse Propane/Propylene Separation.

A proposed low-energy alternative to the separation of alkanes from alkenes by energy-intensive cryogenic distillation is separation by porous adsorbents. Unfortunately, most adsorbents preferentially take up the desired, high-value major component alkene, requiring frequent regeneration. Adsorbents with inverse selectivity for the minor component alkane would enable the direct production of purified, reagent-grade alkene, greatly reducing global energy consumption. However, such materials are exceedingly rare, especially for propane/propylene separation. Here, we report that through adaptive and spontaneous pore size and shape adaptation to optimize an ensemble of weak noncovalent interactions, the structurally responsive metal-organic framework CdIF-13 (sod-Cd(benzimidazolate)2) exhibits inverse selectivity for propane over propylene with record-setting separation performance under industrially relevant temperature, pressure, and mixture conditions. Powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements combined with first-principles calculations yield atomic-scale insight and reveal the induced fit mechanism of adsorbate-specific pore adaptation and ensemble interactions between ligands and adsorbates. Dynamic column breakthrough measurements confirm that CdIF-13 displays selectivity under mixed-component conditions of varying ratios, with a record measured selectivity factor of α ≈ 3 at 95:5 propylene:propane at 298 K and 1 bar. When sequenced with a low-cost rigid adsorbent, we demonstrated the direct purification of propylene under ambient conditions. This combined atomic-level structural characterization and performance testing firmly establishes how cooperatively flexible materials can be capable of unprecedented separation factors.

Multidirectional Solvent-Induced Structural Transformation in Designing a Series of Polycatenated Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers: Impact on Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Uptake.

Coordination polymers with external stimuli-responsive structural transformation acquired paramount importance in the advanced material research field due to their eye-catching application to deal with the existing challenging issue, and Co(II) metal complex with d7 electronic configuration is a renowned candidate for kinetic accountability and has the potentiality of structural transformation. Bearing these factors in mind, here, a Co(II) congener of a previously reported high hydrogen-adsorbing Cu(II)-based coordination polymer (CP), {[Cu(4-bpe)(2-ntp)]}n [where 2-ntp2- = 2-nitroterephthalate and 4-bpe = 1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethane], has been synthesized to study the metal change impact on hydrogen adsorption and solvent-induced structural transformation with their impact on hydrogen uptake. This modified framework has a 2D + 2D → 3D inclined polycatenated framework as comparable to our previously published Cu(II) framework. Here, on the variation of different solvents, the labile Co(II)-containing framework exhibits a structural change through single-crystal to single-crystal (SC-SC) structural transformation and results in three new framework structures. All four frameworks are structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, PXRD, TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The desolvated parent framework with exposed metal centers exhibits excellent results of H2 adsorption of 1.3 wt % (145 cc/g) at 77 K and pressure of 1 bar with structural sustainability and CO2 uptake of 130 cc/g at 195 K and 1 bar. For the other three solvent-mediated structural derivatives, H2 and CO2 adsorption have been studied, and the results are correlated with their structure.

Solid-State Solvent-Independent Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer in a Coordination Polymer and Its Temperature Dependence.

Increasing demand for futuristic switches and sensors around the world has created an intense interest in smart materials, which can show a rapid but feature-dependent change in the physical properties in the presence of external stimuli. Hitherto such changes in the photophysical property of materials, specifically in the solid state, are projected for the use of smart on-off switches. Materials having an external-stimuli-responsive change in the photophysical properties like excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) can also be utilized for these purposes. Although the event of solid-state ESIPT is not new in the domain of material chemistry, especially for organic molecules, it was never observed for coordination polymers (CPs). Previous instances of ESIPT in CPs have necessitated the presence of a solvent as a suspension medium, driving a solvent-assisted ESIPT phenomenon. However, the emergence of a solvent-independent ESIPT-enabled CP presents unique advantages. The well-defined periodic arrangement ensures reliable property variations, while the robust coordination bonds between the metal nodes and ligands provide durability in harsh environments. Addressing this gap, we present the first ever solid-state, solvent-free, and solvent-independent ESIPT-active CP. Remarkably, this CP exhibits temperature-dependent ESIPT on-off behavior, demonstrating its potential as a cutting-edge material in the field of smart switches and sensors.

Polarity-Induced Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT) in a Pair of Supramolecular Isomeric Multifunctional Dynamic Metal-Organic Frameworks.

A pair of supramolecular isomers of CdII -based MOF have been synthesized by utilizing a flexible N,N'-donor linker and a dicarboxylate with ESIPT (excited-state intramolecular proton transfer) fluorophore by varying the reaction media. One of the MOFs has a 3D four-fold interpenetrating framework with guest solvent in the structure that undergoes a solvent-dependent crystalline-to-crystalline structural transformation, which has been extensively studied by powder XRD and IR spectroscopy. The other MOF is structurally rigid in nature and has a two-fold interpenetrating structure without any guest molecules. Both the compounds show moderate CO2 adsorption and one of them, the MOF with the four-fold interpenetrating structure, also shows moderately high H2 adsorption. Furthermore, both the compounds show interesting luminescence behavior. In the solid state, the two compounds show single-peak spectra, whereas upon suspension of these compounds in polar solvents, the maxima split into two peaks with a large Stokes shift. On the other hand, in nonpolar solvents, only one emission maximum is observed. This solvatochromic dual-emission phenomenon is due to ESIPT, which has been extensively studied.

Set of Multifunctional Azo Functionalized Semiconducting Cd(II)-MOFs Showing Photoswitching Property and Selective CO2 Adsorption.

Syntheses, structural characterizations, photoluminescence, and adsorption properties of three new azo-functionalized Cd(II)-MOFs, namely, {[Cd(azbpy)(msuc)]·2.5(H2O)}n (2), {[Cd(azbpy)(mglu)]·5(H2O)}n (3), and {[Cd1.5(azbpy)2(glu)]·(NO3)·MeOH}n (4) [where msuc2- = methylsuccinate; mglut2- = methylglutarate; glut2- = glutarate; azbpy = 4,4'-azobispyridine] have been reported. The compounds show different structures only with the variation of aliphatic dicarboxylates. The photoswitching behavior for the above-mentioned newly synthesized Cd(II)-MOFs along with one of our previously reported other azo-functionalized Cd(II)-MOF, namely, {[Cd(azbpy)(suc)]·2(H2O)}n (1), has been studied extensively. At photoilluminated condition, the conductivity values can draw a clear structure-property relationship among the structures of compounds 1-4. Single crystal structural analysis reveals that all the compounds exhibit a three-dimensional (3D) framework connected by azbpy linker and respective aliphatic dicarboxylate through their bis-chelating mono/bis oxo-bridging fashion. Compounds 1-3 exhibit an iso-structural honeycomb like 3D framework showing the same coordination environments, where the metal-carboxylate 2D sheets of compounds 1-3 are pillared by N,N'-donor azbpy linkers. On the other hand, compound 4 exhibits a 2-fold interpenetrated 3D framework with a little difference in its coordination environment and the pillaring of 1D metal-carboxylate ladder by azbpy linkers. All the compounds significantly demonstrate their enhanced sensitivity under light rather than the dark condition. The gas and solvent vapor sorption studies have been performed for the synthesized compounds 2-4. Moreover, compound 2 exhibits an enhanced type IV selective CO2 adsorption isotherm over N2 along with the appearance of gate opening phenomena in that.

Hydrogen Uptake by an Inclined Polycatenated Dynamic Metal-Organic Framework Based Material.

A 2D + 2D → 3D inclined polycatenated dynamic metal-organic framework of {[Cu(4-bpe)(2-ntp)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n [1, where 2-ntp2- = 2-nitroterephthalate and 4-bpe = 1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethane] has been synthesized and characterized. The variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction study indicates the dynamic nature of the inclined polycatenated framework, and the dehydrated framework with exposed metal centers exhibits excellent type I H2 adsorption of 1.94 wt % at 77 K and 1 bar of pressure.

Eye-Catching Dual-Fluorescent Dynamic Metal-Organic Framework Senses Traces of Water: Experimental Findings and Theoretical Correlation.

A guest-dependent dynamic fivefold interpenetrated 3D porous metal-organic framework (MOF) of ZnII ions has been synthesized that exhibits selective carbon dioxide adsorption. Furthermore, the MOF shows excellent luminescence behavior, which is supported by a systematic study on the guest-responsive multicolor emission of a suspension of the MOF. The dual-emission behavior arises from the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and the compound also shows remarkable potential to detect traces of water in various organic solvents. The experimental observations were also painstakingly authenticated by using time-dependent density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations.

Influence of donor point modifications on the assembly of chalcogen-bonded organic frameworks.

Incremental, single-atom substitutions of Se-based chalcogen bond (Ch-bond) donors with stronger donating Te centers were implemented in two new triptycene tris(1,2,5-chalcogenadiazole) tectons. The appreciably more favorable Ch-bonding ability of the Te-based donors promotes assembly of low-density networks and more stable Ch-bonded organic frameworks (ChOFs).

Universal turbulent relaxation of fluids and plasmas by the principle of vanishing nonlinear transfers.

A 70-year-old problem of fluid and plasma relaxation has been revisited. A principal based on vanishing nonlinear transfer is proposed to develop a unified theory of the turbulent relaxation of neutral fluids and plasmas. Unlike previous studies, the proposed principle enables us to find the relaxed states unambiguously without going through any variational principle. The general relaxed states obtained herein are found to support naturally a pressure gradient which is consistent with several numerical studies. Relaxed states are reduced to Beltrami-type aligned states where the pressure gradient is negligibly small. According to the present theory, the relaxed states are attained in order to maximize a fluid entropy S calculated from the principles of statistical mechanics [Carnevale et al., J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 14, 1701 (1981)10.1088/0305-4470/14/7/026]. This method can be extended to find the relaxed states for more complex flows.

Multivariate zeolitic imidazolate frameworks with an inverting trend in flexibility.

Through systematic linker substitution in a flexible zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) with step-shaped adsorption-desorption, structural intermediates between the known open and closed phases were isolated. Reflecting this, modulative sorption behaviour with an inverting adsorption pressure trend-in which the step pressure decreases and then increases again with increasing mixed linker concentration-is observed, highlighting how linker substitution modifies the energetic landscape of framework flexibility.

Tuned synthesis of two coordination polymers of Cd(II) using substituted bent 3-pyridyl linker and succinate: structures and their applications in anion exchange and sorption properties.

Two new Cd(II) coordination polymers, namely [Cd(3-bpdh)2(ClO4)2]n (1) and {[Cd(3-bpdh)(suc)(H2O)]·3(H2O)}n (2), have been synthesized using a substituted bent N,N'-donor ligand 2,5-bis-(3-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene (3-bpdh) and aliphatic dicarboxylate disodium succinate (suc) with Cd(II) perchlorate salts at room temperature by a slow diffusion technique for the exploration of our previous reported work. Both the structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and also by other physicochemical methods. Structure analysis revealed that complex 1 is a 1D chain structure containing coordinated perchlorate with a metal centre, and complex 2 shows a porous 3D framework with encapsulation of lattice water molecules into the void along the crystallographic a-axis. The PXRD study shows the bulk purity of both the complexes and TGA analysis of 2 exhibits that the structure is thermally stable up to 250 °C. Complex 1 shows a nice anion exchange property with replacement of weakly coordinated perchlorate with the inclusion of new anions; and the anion exchanged solids were characterised by FT-IR, PXRD and photoluminescence properties. The desolvated framework of 2 exhibits sorption of CO2 and water vapor and surface adsorption of N2 corroborating with the nature of the pore environment present in 2. The photoluminescence study has been also done for both complexes in the solid state which exhibits ligand based emissions at room temperature.