Efficient CO2 Removal for Ultra-Pure CO Production by Two Hybrid Ultramicroporous Materials.

Removal of CO2 from CO gas mixtures is a necessary but challenging step during production of ultra-pure CO as processed from either steam reforming of hydrocarbons or CO2 reduction. Herein, two hybrid ultramicroporous materials (HUMs), SIFSIX-3-Ni and TIFSIX-2-Cu-i, which are known to exhibit strong affinity for CO2 , were examined with respect to their performance for this separation. The single-gas CO sorption isotherms of these HUMs were measured for the first time and are indicative of weak affinity for CO and benchmark CO2 /CO selectivity (>4000 for SIFSIX-3-Ni). This prompted us to conduct dynamic breakthrough experiments and compare performance with other porous materials. Ultra-pure CO (99.99 %) was thereby obtained from CO gas mixtures containing both trace (1 %) and bulk (50 %) levels of CO2 in a one-step physisorption-based separation process.

Reversible Switching between Highly Porous and Nonporous Phases of an Interpenetrated Diamondoid Coordination Network That Exhibits Gate-Opening at Methane Storage Pressures.

Herein, we report that a new flexible coordination network, NiL2 (L=4-(4-pyridyl)-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid), with diamondoid topology switches between non-porous (closed) and several porous (open) phases at specific CO2 and CH4 pressures. These phases are manifested by multi-step low-pressure isotherms for CO2 or a single-step high-pressure isotherm for CH4 . The potential methane working capacity of NiL2 approaches that of compressed natural gas but at much lower pressures. The guest-induced phase transitions of NiL2 were studied by single-crystal XRD, in situ variable pressure powder XRD, synchrotron powder XRD, pressure-gradient differential scanning calorimetry (P-DSC), and molecular modeling. The detailed structural information provides insight into the extreme flexibility of NiL2 . Specifically, the extended linker ligand, L, undergoes ligand contortion and interactions between interpenetrated networks or sorbate-sorbent interactions enable the observed switching.

Cooperative Bond Scission in a Soft Porous Crystal Enables Discriminatory Gate Opening for Ethylene over Ethane.

Here we report a soft porous crystal possessing hemilabile cross-links in its framework that exhibits exclusive gate opening for ethylene, enabling the discriminatory adsorption of ethylene over ethane. A Co-based porous coordination polymer (PCP) bearing vinylogous tetrathiafulvalene (VTTF) ligands, [Co(VTTF)], forms Co-S bonds as intermolecular cross-links in its framework in the evacuated closed state. The PCP recognizes ethylene via d-π complexation on the accessible metal site that displaces and cleaves the Co-S bond to "unlock" the closed structure. This ethylene-triggered unlocking event facilitates remarkable nonporous-to-porous transformations that open up accessible void space. This structural transformation follows a two-step gate-opening process. Each phase, including the intermediate structure, was successfully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, which revealed an intriguing "half-open" structure suggestive of a disproportionate gate-opening phenomenon. The gate-opening mechanism was also investigated theoretically; density functional theory and Monte Carlo calculations revealed that the unique "half-open" phase corresponds to a substantially stable intermediate over the possible transformation trajectories. While ethylene opens the gate, ethane does not because it is unable to coordinate to the Co center. This feature is maintained even at pressures above 1 MPa and at a temperature of 303 K, demonstrating the potential of the "gate-locking/unlocking" mechanism that exploits the hemilabile cross-linking in soft porous crystals.

Construction of non-interpenetrated charged metal-organic frameworks with doubly pillared layers: pore modification and selective gas adsorption.

The rigid and angular tetracarboxylic acid 1,3-bis(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)imidazolium (H4L(+)), incorporating an imidazolium group, has been used with different pyridine-based linkers to construct a series of non-interpenetrated cationic frameworks, {[Zn2(L)(bpy)2]·(NO3)·(DMF)6·(H2O)9}n (1), {[Zn2(L)(dpe)2]·(NO3)·(DMF)3·(H2O)2}n (2), and {[Zn2(L)(bpb)2]·(NO3)·(DMF)3·(H2O)4}n (3) [L = L(3-), DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl) ethylene, bpb = 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene]. The frameworks consist of {[Zn2(L)](+)}n two-dimensional layers that are further pillared by the linker ligands to form three-dimensional bipillared-layer porous structures. While the choice of the bent carboxylic acid ligand and formation of double pillars are major factors in achieving charged non-interpenetrated frameworks, lengths of the pillar linkers direct the pore modulation. Accordingly, the N2 gas adsorption capacity of the activated frameworks (1a-3a) increases with increasing pillar length. Moreover, variation in the electronic environment and marked difference in the pore sizes of frameworks permit selective CO2 adsorption over N2, where 3a exhibits the highest selectivity. In contrast, the selectivity of CO2 over CH4 is reversed and follows the order 1a > 2a > 3a. These results demonstrate that even though the pore sizes of the frameworks are large enough compared to the kinetic diameters of the excluded gas molecules, the electronic environment is crucial for the selective sorption of CO2.

High proton conductivity by a metal-organic framework incorporating Zn8O clusters with aligned imidazolium groups decorating the channels.

A novel metal-organic framework, [{(Zn(0.25))(8)(O)}Zn(6)(L)(12)(H(2)O)(29)(DMF)(69)(NO(3))(2)](n) (1) {H(2)L = 1,3-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)imidazolium}, has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in good yield. It shows a Zn(8)O cluster that is coordinated to six ligands and forms an overall three-dimensional structure with channels along the crystallographic a and b axes. The imidazolium groups of the ligand moiety are aligned in the channels. The channels are not empty but are occupied by a large number of DMF and water molecules. Upon heating, these solvent molecules can be removed without breakdown of the overall structure of the framework as shown by variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction patterns. Of great interest is the fact that the compound exhibits high proton conductivity with a low activation energy that is comparable to those of Nafion presently used in fuel cells.

Fluorescent aminal linked porous organic polymer for reversible iodine capture and sensing.

A novel triazene-anthracene-based fluorescent aminal linked porous organic polymer (TALPOP) was prepared via metal free-Schiff base polycondensation reaction of 9,10-bis-(4,6-diamino-S-triazin-2-yl)anthracene and 2-furaldehyde. The polymer has exceptional chemical and thermal stabilities and exhibit good porosity with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 401 m2g-1. The combination of such porosity along with the highly conjugated heteroatom-rich framework enabled the polymer to exhibit exceptional iodine vapor uptake of up to 314 wt % and reversible iodine adsorption in solution. Because of the inclusion of the anthracene moieties, the TALPOP exhibited excellent detection sensitivity towards iodine via florescence quenching with Ksv value of 2.9 × 103 L mol-1. The cost effective TALPOP along with its high uptake and sensing of iodine, make it an ideal material for environmental remediation.

Readily accessible shape-memory effect in a porous interpenetrated coordination network.

Shape-memory effects are quite well-studied in general, but there is only one reported example in the context of porous materials. We report the second example of a porous coordination network that exhibits a sorbate-induced shape-memory effect and the first in which multiple sorbates, N2, CO2 and CO promote this effect. The material, a new threefold interpenetrated pcu network, [Zn2(4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate)2(1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene)]n (X-pcu-3-Zn-3i), exhibits three distinct phases: the as-synthesized α phase; a denser-activated ß phase; and a shape-memory γ phase, which is intermediate in density between the α and ß phases. The γ phase is kinetically stable over multiple adsorption/desorption cycles and only reverts to the ß phase when heated at >400 K under vacuum. The α phase can be regenerated by soaking the γ phase in N,N'-dimethylformamide. Single-crystal x-ray crystallography studies of all three phases provide insight into the shape-memory phenomenon by revealing the nature of interactions between interpenetrated networks. The ß and γ phases were further investigated by in situ coincidence powder x-ray diffraction, and their sorption isotherms were replicated by density functional theory calculations. Analysis of the structural information concerning the three phases of X-pcu-3-Zn-3i enabled us to understand structure-function relationships and propose crystal engineering principles for the design of more examples of shape-memory porous materials.

Base assisted C-C coupling between carbonyl and polypyridyl ligands in a Ru-NADH-type carbonyl complex.

A reaction of a ruthenium(ii) NAD-type complex, [Ru(tpy)(pbn)(Cl)]+ (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine; pbn = 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[b][1,5]naphthyridine), with pressurized CO (2 MPa) at 150 °C in H2O selectively produced a two-electron reduced ruthenium(ii)-NADH-type carbonyl complex, [Ru(tpy)(pbnHH)(CO)]2+ (pbnHH = 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-5,10-dihydrobenzo[b][1,5]naphthyridine), rather than the oxidized [Ru(tpy)(pbn)(CO)]2+ complex. Indeed, [Ru(tpy)(pbnHH)(CO)]2+ was quantitatively oxidized to [Ru(tpy)(pbn)(CO)]2+ upon treatment with one equiv. of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ). The reactivity of [Ru(tpy)(pbnHH)(CO)]2+ with various bases was studied herein. Treatment of [Ru(tpy)(pbnHH)(CO)]2+ with a suitable organic base, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN), resulted in the formation of a new five-membered Ru-CO-bridge metallacycle quantitatively in acetonitrile under air at room temperature. A probable mechanism was proposed for this reaction based on UV-vis, NMR, and EPR spectral studies and other experimental data. Furthermore, a reaction of the five membered Ru-CO-bridge metallacycle with NH4PF6 in CH3CN : H2O (1 : 1) under air smoothly produced another new six-membered Ru-OCO-bridge complex. A mechanism for the formation of a Ru-OCO-bridge complex was also proposed here on the basis of H2O18 experiments, DDQ treatment and other experimental data. These newly synthesized complexes appended with NAD-type ligands may have potential use as renewable hydride sources for organic reductions.

Solvent induced single-crystal to single-crystal structural transformation and concomitant transmetalation in a 3D cationic Zn(II)-framework.

A 3D cationic Zn(II) framework, based on Zn2(CO2)4 paddle-wheel secondary building units (SBUs) and Zn16(CO2)32 polyhedral supramolecular building blocks (SBBs), has been synthesized. At room temperature, the framework undergoes guest solvent triggered reversible structural transformation and concomitant Zn(II) to Cu(II) transmetalation in a single-crystal to single-crystal fashion.

Structural variation in Zn(II) coordination polymers built with a semi-rigid tetracarboxylate and different pyridine linkers: synthesis and selective CO2 adsorption studies.

In an effort towards the rational design of porous MOFs with a functionalized channel surface, 3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxydiphenylmethane (H4L1) has been used in combination with two different bipyridine ligands of similar lengths as linkers, and Zn(II) ions as nodes. Under solvothermal conditions, two Zn(II) coordination polymers, {[Zn(H2L1)(L2)] · DMF · 2H2O}n (1) and {[Zn2(L1)(L3)(DMF)2] · DMF · 4H2O}n (2) (DMF = dimethyl formamide, L2 = 3,6-di-pyridin-4-yl-[1,2,4,5]tetrazine, L3 = 4,4'-bispyridylphenyl) are formed in moderate yields. The obvious kink in the central methylene spacer of H4L1 induces either C2v or Cs symmetry in the ligand, allowing different architectures in the resulting frameworks. Single crystal X-ray analysis shows that compound 1 is a one-dimensional (1D) double chain architecture with rhombus voids, linked by Zn2(CO2)4 paddle-wheel secondary building units (SBUs). The tetrazine and pyridine moieties of the co-ligand and free carboxylic acid groups are lined along the voids of the framework. Compound 2, on the other hand, crystallizes as an infinite two-dimensional corrugated sheet structure, where individual sheets are stacked in--ABAB--patterns along the crystallographic b-axis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (VTPXRD) studies reveal high thermal stability for 1 but 2 collapses soon after desolvation. The desolvated framework 1' shows selective CO2 adsorption over N2, H2, and CH4 at 273 K, with an isosteric heat of CO2 adsorption of 21.3 kJ mol(-1), suggesting an interaction of the CO2 molecules with the channel walls.

Cryptand derived fluorescence signaling systems for sensing Hg(II) ion: A comparative study.

Two laterally non-symmetric aza-oxa cryptands have been derivatized with the electron-withdrawing fluorophore, 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole to obtain the corresponding mono-, bis- and tris-products. In each case, no appreciable emission is observed when the fluorophore is excited due to an efficient photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer (PET) from the lone pair on nitrogen present in the bridges. In the presence of a number of transition and heavy metal ions, their emission characteristics change. The electron-withdrawing ability of the fluorophore drastically alters the binding ability of the cryptand such that Hg(ii) affords largest enhancement of fluorescence. In contrast, mono-, bis- and tris-anthryl (electron-donating) derivatives of these cryptands do not exhibit any selectivity towards Hg(ii) and affords low fluorescence enhancement. Also, the difference in cavity dimension of the o-cryptand and m-cryptand plays a crucial role in terms of selectivity.

Role of spacer in single- or two-step FRET: studies in the presence of two connected cryptands with properly chosen fluorophores.

Two cryptand molecules are connected via p-xyloyl, benzene-1,4-dicarbolyol and 9,10-dimethylene anthracene. Each cryptand is further derivatized with fluorophores such that electronic absorption of one fluorophore overlaps emission of the other. This way, three different systems L(1), L(2) and L(3) have been synthesized to get a better view of the effect on the distance in single- and two-step fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. These molecules are probed for FRET in the presence of a metal ion as input. L(1) and L(2) exhibit poor performance in single step FRET while in the case of L(3), a large two-step FRET process is operational with Cu(II) or Hg(II) as input.