Selective nitrogen capture by porous hybrid materials containing accessible transition metal ion sites.

Selective dinitrogen binding to transition metal ions mainly covers two strategic domains: biological nitrogen fixation catalysed by metalloenzyme nitrogenases, and adsorptive purification of natural gas and air. Many transition metal-dinitrogen complexes have been envisaged for biomimetic nitrogen fixation to produce ammonia. Inspired by this concept, here we report mesoporous metal-organic framework materials containing accessible Cr(III) sites, able to thermodynamically capture N2 over CH4 and O2. This fundamental study integrating advanced experimental and computational tools confirmed that the separation mechanism for both N2/CH4 and N2/O2 gas mixtures is driven by the presence of these unsaturated Cr(III) sites that allows a much stronger binding of N2 over the two other gases. Besides the potential breakthrough in adsorption-based technologies, this proof of concept could open new horizons to address several challenges in chemistry, including the design of heterogeneous biomimetic catalysts through nitrogen fixation.

Structural flexibility in crystallized matter: from history to applications.

The large reversible flexibility of hybrid crystallized matter is relatively new. After briefly recalling the history of this discovery, the article will analyze the different parameters influencing this phenomenon. They relate first to the various structural characteristics of the framework, in both its inorganic and organic parts. The influence of the energies of the guest-guest and host-guest interactions is then analyzed. Once the reasons are explained, a third section will be devoted to the various physical properties of these flexible solids. The last section concerns recent industrial applications of this family of solids.

Metal-organic frameworks as potential shock absorbers: the case of the highly flexible MIL-53(Al).

The mechanical energy absorption ability of the highly flexible MIL-53(Al) MOF material was explored using a combination of experiments and molecular simulations. A pressure-induced transition between the large pore and the closed pore forms of this solid was revealed to be irreversible and associated with a relatively large energy absorption capacity. Both features make MIL-53(Al) the first potential MOF candidate for further use as a shock absorber.

Green scalable aerosol synthesis of porous metal-organic frameworks.

Benchmarked micro or nanosized HKUST-1, ZIF-8 and Fe3(BTC)2 as well as template-assisted Fe3(BTC)2 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of various morphologies were synthesized via a green and scalable aerosol route. Their high space time yields make this continuous method very promising for the industrial production and shaping of MOFs.

Single-crystal XRD and solid-state NMR structural resolution of a layered fluorinated gallium phosphate: RbGa3(PO4)(2)(HPO4)F4·C5N2H16·2H2O (MIL-145).

A new two-dimensional fluorinated gallium phosphate RbGa(3)(PO(4))(2)(HPO(4))F(4)·C(5)N(2)H(16)·2H(2)O (MIL-145) has been hydrothermally synthesized (180 °C for 36 h) in the presence of 1,5-diaminopentane and rubidium fluoride. Its structural model has been determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure contains corrugated infinite ribbons of GaO(3)F(3) and GaO(4)F(2) octahedra linked through edge- and corner-sharing mode via fluoride anions. These chains are then connected to each other via phosphate groups to create a layered network delimiting 6-ring channels trapping rubidium cations. The inorganic sheets are intercalated by diprotonated 1,5-diaminopentane and water molecules, ensuring the three-dimensional cohesion via hydrogen bond scheme. (1)H, (13)C, (15)N and (87)Rb solid-state NMR spectra show the presence of two inequivalent amines as well as two Rb cations, confirming the choice of the space group, which was ambiguous from the diffraction data. (71)Ga NMR spectra, acquired at several magnetic fields, contain two different sets of Ga signals, corresponding to the two types of gallium environments in the structure. One-dimensional (19)F and (31)P and (19)F-(31)P two-dimensional NMR experiments have been recorded, which are in full agreement with the proposed structural model. Finally, possible assignments of the (19)F and (31)P resonances to the crystallographic sites in RbGa(3)(PO(4))(2)(HPO(4))F(4)·C(5)N(2)H(16)·2H(2)O have been determined by comparing adjacency matrices build-up from 2D NMR correlation spectra and from the structural data.

Discovering the active sites for C3 separation in MIL-100(Fe) by using operando IR spectroscopy.

A reducible MIL-100(Fe) metal-organic framework (MOF) was investigated for the separation of a propane/propene mixture. An operando methodology was applied (for the first time in the case of a MOF) in order to shed light on the separation mechanism. Breakthrough curves were obtained as in traditional separation column experiments, but monitoring the material surface online, thus providing evidences on the adsorption sites. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of Fe(II) and, to some extent, Fe(III) sites were possible, upon different activation protocols. Moreover, it was possible to identify the nature and the role of the active sites in the separation process by selective poisoning of one family of sites: it was clearly evidenced that the unsaturated Fe(II) sites are mainly responsible for the separation effect of the propane/propene mixture, thanks to their affinity for the unsaturated bonds, such as the C=C entities in propene. The activity of the highly concentrated Fe(III) sites was also highlighted.

Guest dependent pressure behavior of the flexible MIL-53(Cr): a computational exploration.

Molecular dynamics simulations evidenced a structural transition of the flexible MIL-53(Cr) under a relatively moderate applied pressure ~50 MPa. The incorporation of CO(2) within its porosity significantly shifts the onset of such a transformation at lower pressure while it decreases the bulk modulus of this solid.

How linker's modification controls swelling properties of highly flexible iron(III) dicarboxylates MIL-88.

A series of organically modified iron(III) terephthalate MIL-88B and iron(III) 4,4'-biphenyl dicarboxylate MIL-88D flexible solids have been synthesized and characterized through a combination of X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (MIL stands for Material from Institut Lavoisier). The swelling amplitude of the highly flexible MOFs tuned by introducing functional groups onto the phenyl rings shows a clear dependence on the steric hindrance and on the number of groups per aromatic ring. For instance, while the introduction of four methyl groups per spacer in dried MIL-88B results in a large permanent porosity, introducing two or four methyl groups in MIL-88D allows an easier pore opening in the presence of liquids without drastically decreasing the swelling magnitude. The influence of the degree of saturation of the metal center and the nature of the solvent on the swelling is also discussed. Finally, a computationally assisted structure determination has led to a proposal of plausible structures for the closed (dried) and open forms of modified MIL-88B and MIL-88D and to evaluation of their framework energies subject to the nature of the functional groups.

Cathode composites for Li-S batteries via the use of oxygenated porous architectures.

Li-S rechargeable batteries are attractive for electric transportation because of their low cost, environmentally friendliness, and superior energy density. However, the Li-S system has yet to conquer the marketplace, owing to its drawbacks, namely, soluble polysulfide formation. To tackle this issue, we present here a strategy based on the use of a mesoporous chromium trimesate metal-organic framework (MOF) named MIL-100(Cr) as host material for sulfur impregnation. Electrodes containing sulfur impregnated within the pores of the MOF were found to show a marked increase in the capacity retention of Li-S cathodes. Complementary transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements demonstrated the reversible capture and release of the polysulfides by the pores of MOF during cycling and evidenced a weak binding between the polysulphides and the oxygenated framework. Such an approach was generalized to other mesoporous oxide structures, such as mesoporous silica, for instance SBA-15, having the same positive effect as the MOF on the capacity retention of Li-S cells. Besides pore sizes, the surface activity of the mesoporous additives, as observed for the MOF, appears to also have a pronounced effect on enhancing the cycle performance. Increased knowledge about the interface between polysulfide species and oxide surfaces could lead to novel approaches in the design and fabrication of long cycle life S electrodes.

Infrared study of the influence of reducible iron(III) metal sites on the adsorption of CO, CO2, propane, propene and propyne in the mesoporous metal-organic framework MIL-100.

The present study illustrates the importance of the oxidation state of iron within the mesoporous iron trimesate [{Fe(3)O(H(2)O)(2)F(0.81)(OH)(0.19)}{C(6)H(3)(CO(2))(3)}(2)] denoted MIL-100(Fe) (MIL= Material from Institut Lavoisier) during adsorption of molecules that can interact with the accessible metal sites through π-back donation. Adsorption of CO has been first followed by FTIR spectroscopy to quantify the Lewis acid sites in the dehydrated Fe(III) sample, outgassed at 150 °C, and on the partially reduced Fe(II/III), outgassed at 250 °C. The exposure of MIL-100(Fe) to CO(2), propane, propene and propyne has then been studied by FTIR spectroscopy and microcalorimetry. It appears that π-back donating molecules are strongly adsorbed on reduced iron(II) sites despite the weaker Lewis acidity of cus Fe(2+) sites compared to that of Fe(3+) ones, as shown by pyridine adsorption.

Effect of NH2 and CF3 functionalization on the hydrogen sorption properties of MOFs.

The hydrogen adsorption capacity and heat of adsorption at 77 K have been evaluated for several porous metal terephthalate MOFs (MIL-53(Fe), MIL-125(Ti) and UiO-66(Zr)), as well as in their -NH(2) and -(CF(3))(2) functionalized isoreticular structures. The capacity of hydrogen is basically related to the textural properties of the solids and not to their composition. The heats of adsorption at low coverage are on the whole close to those usually reported for MOFs (6-7 kJ mol(-1)), except for the UiO-66(Zr) and MIL-53(Fe)-(CF(3))(2) analogues, whereas the presence of Lewis acid sites and/or a confinement effect enhances significantly the strength of interaction with hydrogen.

Why hybrid porous solids capture greenhouse gases?

Hybrid porous solids, with their tunable structures, their multifunctional properties and their numerous applications, are currently topical, particularly in the domain of adsorption and storage of greenhouse gases. Most of the data reported so far concern the performances of these solids in this domain, particularly in terms of adsorbed amounts of gas but do not explain at the atomic level why and how adsorption and storage occur. From a combination of structural, spectroscopic, thermodynamic experiments and of molecular simulations, this tutorial review proposes answers to these open questions with a special emphasis on CO(2) and CH(4) storage by some rigid and flexible hybrid porous materials.

Reinvestigation of the M(II) (M = Ni, Co)/tetrathiafulvalenetetracarboxylate system using high-throughput methods: isolation of a molecular complex and its single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation to a two-dimensional coordination polymer.

A high-throughput methodology combined with X-ray powder diffraction measurements was used to investigate the reactivity of the TetraThiaFulvalene TetraCarboxylic acid ((TTF-TC)H(4)) with divalent metals (M = Ni, Co) under various reaction conditions (stoichiometry, pH, temperature). Two new crystalline phases were identified and then studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Whereas the first one appears to be a simple salt, the second one, formulated {[M(H(2)O)(4)](2)(TTF-TC)}·4H(2)O, is built of 2:1 M:TTF-TC molecular complexes and labeled MIL-136(Ni, Co) (MIL stands for Materials Institute Lavoisier). The combination of thermogravimetric analysis and thermodiffraction studies reveals that MIL-136(Ni) exhibits a complex dehydration behavior. Indeed, a partial dehydration/rehydration process led to the single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation of the molecular compound in a two-dimensional coordination polymer formulated {[Ni(2)(H(2)O)(5)(TTF-TC)]}·H(2)O (MIL-136'(Ni)). Magnetic and redox properties of MIL-136(Ni, Co) were investigated. Magnetic measurements indicate that all the magnetic coupling, intra- and intermolecular, are very weak; thus, the magnetic data of MIL-136(Ni, Co) have been interpreted in term of single-ion spin orbit coupling. Solid state cyclic voltammetry of MIL-136(Ni, Co) presents three reversible waves which were assigned to the redox activity of the TTF core and the metallic cations. In contrast to solids based on TTF linkers and alkaline ions, the MIL-136(Ni, Co) complexes do not act as excellent positive electrode materials for Li batteries, but present two reversible electron oxidation of the TTF core. These observations were tentatively related to the strength of the metal-carboxylate bond.

High-throughput aided synthesis of the porous metal-organic framework-type aluminum pyromellitate, MIL-121, with extra carboxylic acid functionalization.

A new porous metal-organic framework (MOF)-type aluminum pyromellitate (MIL-121 or Al(OH)[H(2)btec]·(guest), (guest = H(2)O, H(4)btec = pyromellitic acid) has been isolated by using a high-throughput synthesis method under hydrothermal conditions. Its structure was determined from powder X-ray diffraction analysis using synchrotron radiation (Soleil, France) and exhibits a network closely related to that of the MIL-53 series. It is a three-dimensional (3D) framework containing one-dimensional (1D) channels delimited by infinite trans-connected aluminum-centered octahedra AlO(4)(OH)(2) linked through the pyromellitate ligand. Here the organic ligand acts as tetradendate linker via two of the carboxylate groups. The two others remain non-bonded in their protonated form, and this constitutes a rare case of the occurrence of both bonding and non-bonding organic functionalities of the MOF family. The non-coordinated -COOH groups points toward the channels to get them an open form configuration. Within the tunnels are located unreacted pyromellitic acid and water species, which are evacuated upon heating, and a porous MIL-121 phase is obtained with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 162 m(2) g(-1). MIL-121 has been characterized by IR, thermogravimetry (TG) analyses, and solid state NMR spectroscopy employing a couple of two-dimensional (2D) techniques such as (1)H-(1)H SQ-DQ BABA, (1)H-(1)H SQ-SQ RFDR, (27)Al{(1)H} CPHETCOR and (27)Al MQMAS.

[Hybrid nanocarriers for controlled delivery of antitumour and retroviral drugs delivery]. / Des nanovecteurs hybrides pour la restitution retard de médicaments antitumoraux et antiviraux.

The efficient delivery of drugs in the body requires the use of non-toxic nanocarriers. Most of the existing materials show poor drug loading and/or rapid release of the proportion of the drug that is simply adsorbed (or anchored) at the external surface of the nanocarrier. The new porous hybrid solids, with the ability to tune their structures and porosities are well suited to serve as nanocarriers for delivery and imaging applications. Here we show that specific non-toxic porous iron(III) - based metal - organic frameworks with engineered cores and surfaces, as well as imaging properties, function as superior nanocarriers for efficient controlled delivery of antitumour and retroviral drugs against cancer and AIDS. They also potentially associate therapeutics and diagnostics, and open the way for theranostics, or -personalized patient treatments. double dagger.

Multistep N2 breathing in the metal-organic framework co(1,4-benzenedipyrazolate).

A variety of spectroscopic techniques combined with in situ pressure-controlled X-ray diffraction and molecular simulations have been utilized to characterize the five-step phase transition observed upon N(2) adsorption within the high-surface area metal-organic framework Co(BDP) (BDP(2-) = 1,4-benzenedipyrozolate). The computationally assisted structure determinations reveal structural changes involving the orientation of the benzene rings relative to the pyrazolate rings, the dihedral angles for the pyrazolate rings bound at the metal centers, and a change in the metal coordination geometry from square planar to tetrahedral. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and in situ infrared and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic measurements provide strong corroborating evidence for the observed changes in structure. In addition, the results from in situ microcalorimetry measurements show that an additional heat of 2 kJ/mol is required for each of the first four transitions, while 7 kJ/mol is necessary for the last step involving the transformation of Co(II) from square planar to tetrahedral. Based on the enthalpy, a weak N(2) interaction with the open Co(II) coordination sites is proposed for the first four phases, which is supported by Monte Carlo simulations.