Protein Electric Fields Enable Faster and Longer-Lasting Covalent Inhibition of ß-Lactamases.

The widespread design of covalent drugs has focused on crafting reactive groups of proper electrophilicity and positioning toward targeted amino-acid nucleophiles. We found that environmental electric fields projected onto a reactive chemical bond, an overlooked design element, play essential roles in the covalent inhibition of TEM-1 ß-lactamase by avibactam. Using the vibrational Stark effect, the magnitudes of the electric fields that are exerted by TEM active sites onto avibactam's reactive C═O were measured and demonstrate an electrostatic gating effect that promotes bond formation yet relatively suppresses the reverse dissociation. These results suggest new principles of covalent drug design and off-target site prediction. Unlike shape and electrostatic complementary which address binding constants, electrostatic catalysis drives reaction rates, essential for covalent inhibition, and deepens our understanding of chemical reactivity, selectivity, and stability in complex systems.

Reticular Nanoscience: Bottom-Up Assembly Nanotechnology.

The chemistry of metal-organic and covalent organic frameworks (MOFs and COFs) is perhaps the most diverse and inclusive among the chemical sciences, and yet it can be radically expanded by blending it with nanotechnology. The result is reticular nanoscience, an area of reticular chemistry that has an immense potential in virtually any technological field. In this perspective, we explore the extension of such an interdisciplinary reach by surveying the explored and unexplored possibilities that framework nanoparticles can offer. We localize these unique nanosized reticular materials at the juncture between the molecular and the macroscopic worlds, and describe the resulting synthetic and analytical chemistry, which is fundamentally different from conventional frameworks. Such differences are mirrored in the properties that reticular nanoparticles exhibit, which we described while referring to the present state-of-the-art and future promising applications in medicine, catalysis, energy-related applications, and sensors. Finally, the bottom-up approach of reticular nanoscience, inspired by nature, is brought to its full extension by introducing the concept of augmented reticular chemistry. Its approach departs from a single-particle scale to reach higher mesoscopic and even macroscopic dimensions, where framework nanoparticles become building units themselves and the resulting supermaterials approach new levels of sophistication of structures and properties.

The Current Status of MOF and COF Applications.

The amalgamation of different disciplines is at the heart of reticular chemistry and has broadened the boundaries of chemistry by opening up an infinite space of chemical composition, structure, and material properties. Reticular design has enabled the precise prediction of crystalline framework structures, tunability of chemical composition, incorporation of various functionalities onto the framework backbone, and as a consequence, fine-tuning of metal-organic framework (MOF) and covalent organic framework (COF) properties beyond that of any other material class. Leveraging the unique properties of reticular materials has resulted in significant advances from both a fundamental and an applied perspective. Here, we wish to review the milestones in MOF and COF research and give a critical view on progress in their real-world applications. Finally, we briefly discuss the major challenges in the field that need to be addressed to pave the way for industrial applications.

25 Years of Reticular Chemistry.

At its core, reticular chemistry has translated the precision and expertise of organic and inorganic synthesis to the solid state. While initial excitement over metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) was undoubtedly fueled by their unprecedented porosity and surface areas, the most profound scientific innovation of the field has been the elaboration of design strategies for the synthesis of extended crystalline solids through strong directional bonds. In this contribution we highlight the different classes of reticular materials that have been developed, how these frameworks can be functionalized, and how complexity can be introduced into their backbones. Finally, we show how the structural control over these materials is being extended from the molecular scale to their crystal morphology and shape on the nanoscale, all the way to their shaping on the bulk scale.

Amidation, Esterification, and Thioesterification of a Carboxyl-Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework.

Three new post-synthetic modification reactions, namely amidation, esterification, and thioesterification, were demonstrated on a novel highly crystalline two-dimensional covalent organic framework (COF), COF-616, bearing pre-installed carboxyl groups. The strategy can be used to introduce a large variety of functional groups into COFs and the modifications can be carried out under mild reaction conditions, with high yields, and an easy work-up protocol. As a proof of concept, various chelating functionalities were successfully incorporated into COF-616 to yield a family of adsorbents for efficient removal of several contaminants in the water.

Porous Crystalline Olefin-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks.

The first unsubstituted olefin-linked covalent organic framework, termed COF-701, was made by linking 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine (TMT) and 4,4'-biphenyldicarbaldehyde (BPDA) through Aldol condensation. Formation of the unsubstituted olefin (-CH═CH-) linkage upon reticulation is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR spectroscopy of the framework and of its 13C-isotope-labeled analogue. COF-701 is found to be porous (1715 m2 g-1) and to retain its composition and crystallinity under both strongly acidic and basic conditions. The high chemical robustness is attributed to the unsubstituted olefin linkages. Immobilization of the strong Lewis acid BF3·OEt2 in the pores of the structure yields BF3⊂COF-701. In the material, the catalytic activity of the guest is retained, as evidenced in a benchmark Diels-Alder reaction.

A Metal-Organic Framework of Organic Vertices and Polyoxometalate Linkers as a Solid-State Electrolyte.

A new three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized by linking ditopic amino functionalized polyoxometalate [N(C4H9)4]3[MnMo6O18{(OCH2)3CNH2}2] with 4-connected tetrahedral tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)methane building units through imine condensation. The structure of this MOF, termed MOF-688, was solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction and found to be triply interpenetrated diamond-based dia topology. Tetrabutylammonium cations fill the pores and balance the charge of the anionic framework. They can be exchanged with lithium ions to give high ionic conductivity (3.4 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 20 °C), a high lithium ion transference number (tLi+ = 0.87), and low interfacial resistance (353 Ω) against metallic lithium-properties that make it ideally suited as a solid-state electrolyte. Indeed, a prototype lithium metal battery constructed using MOF-688 as the solid electrolyte can be cycled at room temperature with a practical current density of ∼0.2 C.

3D Covalent Organic Frameworks of Interlocking 1D Square Ribbons.

A new mode of mechanical entanglement in extended structures is described where 1D organic ribbons of corner-sharing squares are mutually interlocked to form 3D woven covalent organic framework-500, COF-500. Reaction of aldehyde-functionalized tetrahedral Cu(PDB)2PO2Ph2 complexes (PDB = 4,4'-(1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)dibenzaldehyde) with rectangular tetratopic ETTBA (4',4‴,4''''',4''''‴-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl)tetrakis([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-amine)) linkers through imine condensation, yielded a crystalline porous metalated COF, COF-500-Cu, with pts topology. Upon removal of the Cu(I) ions, the individual 1D square ribbons in the demetalated form (COF-500) are held together only by mechanical interlocking of rings, which allows their collective movement to produce a narrow-pore form, as evidenced by nitrogen adsorption and solid-state photoluminescence studies. When exposed to tetrahydrofuran vapor, the interlocking ribbons can dynamically move away from each other to reopen up the structure. The structural integrity of COF-500 is maintained during its dynamics because the constituent square ribbons cannot part company due to spatial confinement imparted by their interlocking nature.

Three-Dimensional Phthalocyanine Metal-Catecholates for High Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction.

The synthesis of a new anionic 3D metal-catecholate framework, termed MOF-1992, is achieved by linking tetratopic cobalt phthalocyanin-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octaol linkers with Fe3(-C2O2-)6(OH2)2 trimers into an extended framework of roc topology. MOF-1992 exhibits sterically accessible Co active sites together with charge transfer properties. Cathodes based on MOF-1992 and carbon black (CB) display a high coverage of electroactive sites (270 nmol cm-2) and a high current density (-16.5 mA cm-2; overpotential, -0.52 V) for the CO2 to CO reduction reaction in water (faradaic efficiency, 80%). Over the 6 h experiment, MOF-1992/CB cathodes reach turnover numbers of 5800 with turnover frequencies of 0.20 s-1 per active site.

The role of reticular chemistry in the design of CO2 reduction catalysts.

The problem with current state-of-the-art catalysts for CO2 photo- or electroreduction is rooted in the notion that no single system can independently control, and thus optimize, the interplay between activity, selectivity and efficiency. At its core, reticular chemistry is recognized for its ability to control, with atomic precision, the chemical and structural features (activity and selectivity) as well as the output optoelectronic properties (efficiency) of porous, crystalline materials. The molecular building blocks that are in a reticular chemist's toolbox are chosen in such a way that the structures are rationally designed, framework chemistry is performed to integrate catalytically active components, and the manner in which these building blocks are connected endows the material with the desired optoelectronic properties. The fact that these aspects can be fine-tuned independently lends credence to the prospect of reticular chemistry contributing to the design of next-generation CO2 reduction catalysts.

Publisher Correction: The role of reticular chemistry in the design of CO2 reduction catalysts.

In the version of this Perspective originally published, the titles of the references were missing; the online versions have now been amended to include them.

Urea-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks.

2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with flexible urea linkages have been synthesized by condensation of 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (TFP) with 1,4-phenylenediurea (BDU) or 1,1'-(3,3'-dimethyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)diurea (DMBDU). The resulting COF-117 and COF-118 undergo reversible structural dynamics within their layers, in response to inclusion and removal of guest molecules, emanating from urea C-N bond rotation and interlayer hydrogen-bonding interactions. These compounds are the first urea-linked COFs, serving to expand the scope of reticular chemistry.

Conversion of Imine to Oxazole and Thiazole Linkages in Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Imine-linked ILCOF-1 based on 1,4-phenylenediamine and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-formylphenyl)pyrene was converted through consecutive linker substitution and oxidative cyclization to two isostructural covalent organic frameworks (COFs), having thiazole and oxazole linkages. The completeness of the conversion was assessed by infrared and solid-state NMR spectroscopies, and the crystallinity of the COFs was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the azole-linked COFs remain porous, as shown by nitrogen sorption experiments. The materials derived in this way demonstrate increased chemical stability, relative to the imine-linked starting material. This constitutes a facile method for accessing COFs and linkages that are otherwise difficult to crystallize due to their inherently limited microscopic reversibility.

Molecular Weaving of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Adaptive Guest Inclusion.

The synthesis of new isoreticular non-interpenetrated woven covalent organic frameworks (COFs) was achieved by linking aldehyde-functionalized copper(I) bisphenanthroline complexes with benzidine linkers in the presence of a bulky anion, diphenylphosphinate (PO2Ph2-) to give metalated COF-506-Cu and, upon removal of copper(I), the demetalated COF-506. The structures of these COFs were determined by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques. Guest-accessibility to the pores of the two frameworks was examined by vapor and dye inclusion studies and compared to the already reported doubly-interpenetrated COF-505-Cu.  Remarkably, COF-506 was found to take up guest molecules that exceed the size of the COF-506-Cu pores, thus giving credence to the notion of a novel mode of motional dynamics in solids we term 'adaptive inclusion'.

Reticular Electronic Tuning of Porphyrin Active Sites in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction.

The electronic character of porphyrin active sites for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO in a two-dimensional covalent organic framework (COF) was tuned by modification of the reticular structure. Efficient charge transport along the COF backbone promotes electronic connectivity between remote functional groups and the active sites and enables the modulation of the catalytic properties of the system. A series of oriented thin films of these COFs was found to reduce CO2 to CO at low overpotential (550 mV) with high selectivity (faradaic efficiency of 87%) and at high current densities (65 mA/mg), a performance well beyond related molecular catalysts in regard to selectivity and efficiency. The catalysts are stable for more than 12 h without any loss in reactivity. X-ray absorption measurements on the cobalt L-edge for the modified COFs enable correlations between the inductive effects of the appended functionality and the electronic character of the reticulated molecular active sites.

Spiers Memorial Lecture:. Progress and prospects of reticular chemistry.

Reticular chemistry, the linking of molecular building units by strong bonds to make crystalline, extended structures such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), is currently one of the most rapidly expanding fields of science. In this contribution, we outline the origins of the field; the key intellectual and practical contributions, which have led to this expansion; and the new directions reticular chemistry is taking that are changing the way we think about making new materials and the manner with which we incorporate chemical information within structures to reach additional levels of functionality. This progress is described in the larger context of chemistry and unexplored, yet important, aspects of this field are presented.

Covalent Organic Frameworks-Organic Chemistry Beyond the Molecule.

The synthesis of organic molecules has at its core, purity, definitiveness of structure, and the ability to access specific atoms through chemical reactions. When considering extended organic structures, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) stand out as a true extension of molecular organic chemistry to the solid state, because these three fundamental attributes of molecular organic chemistry are preserved. The fact that COFs are porous provides confined space within which molecules can be further modified and controlled.

Chemical Conversion of Linkages in Covalent Organic Frameworks.

The imine linkages of two layered, porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs), TPB-TP-COF ([C6H3(C6H4N)3]2[C6H4(CH)2]3, 1) and 4PE-1P-COF ([C2(C6H4N)4][C6H4(CH)2]2, 2), have been transformed into amide linkages to make the respective isostructural amide COFs 1' and 2' by direct oxidation with retention of crystallinity and permanent porosity. Remarkably, the oxidation of both imine COFs is complete, as assessed by FT-IR and 13C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy and demonstrates (a) the first chemical conversion of a COF linkage and (b) how the usual "crystallization problem" encountered in COF chemistry can be bypassed to access COFs, such as these amides, that are typically thought to be difficult to obtain by the usual de novo methods. The amide COFs show improved chemical stability relative to their imine progenitors.

Contractile and extensible molecular figures-of-eight.

Two large rings, 66- (m-66) and 78-membered (m-78) rings, each one incorporating two pairs of transition-metal-complexing units, have been prepared. The coordinating fragments are alternating bi- and tridentate chelating groups, namely, 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dpp) and 2,2',2',6''-terpyridine (terpy) respectively. Both macrocycles form molecular figures-of-eight in the presence of Fe(II) , affording a classical bis-terpy complex as the central core. The larger m-78 ring can accommodate a four-coordinate Cu(I) center with the formation of a {Cu(dpp)2 }(+) central complex and a highly twisted figure-of-eight backbone, whereas m-66 is too small to coordinate Cu(I) . Macrocycle m-78 thus affords stable complexes with both Fe(II) and Cu(I) ; the ligand around the metal changes from (terpy)2 to (dpp)2 . This bimodal coordination situation allows for a large amplitude rearrangement of the organic backbone. When coordinated to preferentially octahedrally coordinated Fe(II) or Cu(II) , the height of the molecule along the coordinating axis of the tridentate terpy ligands is only about 11 Å, whereas the height of the molecule along the same vertical axis is several times as large for the tetrahedral Cu(I) complex. Chemically or electrochemically driven contraction and extension motions along a defined axis make this figure-of-eight particularly promising as a new class of molecular machine prototype for use as a constitutive element in muscle-like dynamic systems.

Solid-state characterization and photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer in a nanoconfined octacationic homo[2]catenane.

An octacationic homo[2]catenane comprised of two mechanically interlocked cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) rings has been obtained from the oxidation of the septacationic monoradical with nitrosonium hexafluoroantimonate. The nanoconfinement of normally repulsive bipyridinium units results in the enforced π-overlap of eight positively charged pyridinium rings in a volume of <1.25 nm(3). In the solid state, the torsional angles around the C-C bonds between the four pairs of pyridinium rings range between 16 and 30°, while the π-π stacking distances between the bipyridinium units are extended for the inside pair and contracted for the pairs on the outside--a consequence of Coulombic repulsion between the inner bipyridinium subunits. In solution, irradiation of the [2]catenane at 275 nm results in electron transfer from one of the paraphenylene rings to the inner bipyridinium dimer, leading to the generation of a temporary mixed-valence state within the rigid and robust homo[2]catenane.