The Uncommon Channel-Based Ln-MOFs for Highly Selective Fe3+ Detection and Superior Rhodamine†B Adsorption.

Two new isostructural 3D lanthanide-organic frameworks [H2 N(Me)2 ] [Ln3 (OH)(bpt)3 (H2 O)3 ] (DMF)2 ⋅(H2 O)4 (1-Ln; Ln=Sm and Eu) with a 1D channel (25 Å) have been successfully assembled from the rare trinuclear [Ln3 (OH)(COO)9 ] clusters and biphenyl-3,4',5-tricarboxylic acid (H3 bpt) and exhibit high stability towards water in the pH range 3-10. MOF 1-Eu is a promising luminescent probe for sensing Fe3+ in aqueous solution and is also selective towards rhodamine B (RhB) with a superior adsorption capacity of 735 mg g-1 , which is the highest among the reported Ln-MOFs for RhB removal so far. Periodic DFT calculations further confirmed the selective adsorption of rhodamine B over other dyes.

Design and synthesis of two porous metal-organic frameworks with nbo and agw topologies showing high CO2 adsorption capacity.

Two novel porous copper-based metal-organic frameworks with nbo and agw topologies have been designed and synthesized using tetracarboxylate and tricarboxylate ligands, respectively. They possess large surface areas and high CO2 adsorption capacities (up to 170 cm(3)/g or 7.59 mmol/g at 0 °C under ambient pressure).

Needs and trends in rational synthesis of zeolitic materials.

Zeolites are an important class of materials which are widely used in industry as catalysts, adsorbents and ion-exchangers. Their superior properties are closely related to their unique porous framework structure, as well as composition and morphology. The ever-growing needs for zeolitic materials in applications inspire us to think of the rational synthesis of zeolites with desired structures and properties. However, rationalization of zeolitic materials remains one of the most challenging issues in the zeolite research field due to their unclear formation mechanism. Despite this, many efforts have been devoted to synthesize zeolites in a more rational way. In this tutorial review, first, we demonstrate how the geometrical characteristics of zeolite frameworks affect the catalytic performances of the resulting materials; then, we present recent advances in synthetic innovations to target materials, and we further highlight the developments in computer simulations toward ab initio design and synthesis; finally, the future perspective on the rational synthesis of zeolitic materials with desired functions and structures will be described.

Divalent-metal-stabilized aluminophosphates exhibiting a new zeolite framework topology.

Two divalent-metal-containing aluminophosphates, (C(5)H(14)N(2))[Co(2)Al(4)P(6)O(24)] and (C(5)H(14)N(2))[Zn(2)Al(4)P(6)O(24)] (denoted as MAPO-CJ62; M = Co, Zn), have been hydrothermally synthesized by using N-methylpiperazine as the structure directing agent. Their structures are determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma, and thermogravimetric and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analyses. Both of these two compounds exhibit a new zeolite framework topology. This new zeolite framework contains 1-dimensional 8-ring channels running along the [010] direction. All the metal and P atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated and alternately connected to each other through bridging O atoms. Inductively coupled plasma analysis shows that the molar ratio of M:Al in MAPO-CJ62 is 1:2. The M(2+) ions in MAPO-CJ62 selectively occupy two of the three possible crystallographically distinct positions. A pure aluminophosphate analogue of MAPO-CJ62 without M(2+)-incorporation, denoted as AlPO-CJ62, has not been obtained in our experiment so far. The necessity of introducing M(2+) ions and their ordered distribution in MAPO-CJ62 has been elucidated by analyzing the distortions of Al-centered tetrahedra in the hypothetical framework of AlPO-CJ62.

|(C4NH12)4|[M4Al12P16O64] (M = Co, Zn): new heteroatom-containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves with two intersecting 8-ring channels.

Two novel heteroatom-containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves, |(C(4)NH(12))(4)|[M(4)Al(12)P(16)O(64)] (denoted MAPO-CJ69, M = Co and Zn), have been solvothermally synthesized using diethylamine as the structure-directing agent. The framework of MAPO-CJ69 exhibits a new zeolite topology which is constructed by strict alternation of metal-centered (Al/M)O(4) tetrahedra and PO(4) tetrahedra to form a three-dimensional anionic [M(4)Al(12)(PO(4))(16)](4-) framework. The structure contains two intersecting 8-ring channels along the [010] and [001] directions, and the protonated diethylamine cations reside in the 8-ring channels to achieve charge neutrality. The structure of MAPO-CJ69 is composed of the 4-4- secondary building unit (SBU), which has been found in some known zeolites, such as AFR, SFO, ZON, OWE, etc. The structural relationships between these zeolites have been discussed.

K3[Tb(x)Eu(1-x)Ge3O8(OH)2] (x = 1, 0.88, 0.67, 0): 2D-layered lanthanide germanates with tunable photoluminescent properties.

A family of novel 2D-layered lanthanide germanates K(3)[Tb(x)Eu(1-x)Ge(3)O(8)(OH)(2)] (x = 1, 0.88, 0.67, 0; denoted as TbGeO-JU-87, Tb(0.88)Eu(0.12)GeO-JU-87, Tb(0.67)Eu(0.33)GeO-JU-87, and EuGeO-JU-87) were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions in a concentrated gel system. They are isostructural, as confirmed by the powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of EuGeO-JU-87 reveals that it is a 2D-layered [EuGe(3)O(8)(OH)(2)](n)(3n-) anionic framework, which is built up from GeO(4)H/GeO(4) tetrahedra and EuO(6) octahedra by sharing vertex O atoms. Charge neutrality is achieved by K(+) ions located in the free void space. Interestingly, photoluminescence studies show that Tb(0.88)Eu(0.12)GeO-JU-87 and Tb(0.67)Eu(0.33)GeO-JU-87 exhibit a high Tb(3+)-to-Eu(3+) energy-transfer efficiency and the Tb(x)Eu(1-x)GeO-JU-87 system displays tunable photoluminescent properties.

Rational approaches toward the design and synthesis of zeolitic inorganic open-framework materials.

Since the first synthesis of zeolites in 1940s, these materials and related inorganic open-framework materials with regular nanoporous space have attracted considerable interest. Zeolites are important for catalysis, adsorption, and ion-exchange, and researchers are finding new applications for these materials in optics, electronics, sensors, and medicine. In particular, the petrochemical industry is interested in the synthesis of new zeolite catalysts with high catalytic activity and selectivity. Using hydrothermal, solvothermal, and the recently-developed ionothermal methods, researchers have prepared 194 types of zeolites and thousands of zeolite-related inorganic open-framework materials. However, their syntheses are based primarily on an empirical "trial-and-error" method. The rational synthesis of zeolitic inorganic open-framework materials, while targeting novel structures and functions, remains a formidable task. The challenge in rational synthesis lies in the unknown mechanism for their formation: the relationship between the synthetic parameters and structural characteristics of the products is not clear. In an effort to overcome these challenges, our group has built up a ZEOBANK, a database of zeolite structures and a database for their synthesis. ZEOBANK allows us to use data mining to find new methods for guiding the synthesis of zeolitic materials. In this Account, we describe our efforts to rationally synthesize zeolitic inorganic open-framework materials with desired structures and present computational methods for the design of these structures. In particular, we focus on the design of zeolites with desired pore geometries through constrained assembly of atoms around the predefined channels in the unit cell. Our approaches toward rational synthesis include the use of template to direct the structure, the use of heteroatoms as a framework substituent, and the use of computational data mining. Employing these strategies, we have developed innovative methods toward the synthesis of target structures with specific channel structures, such as extra-large pores and chiral channels. We expect that further data mining will increase the synthetic control for researchers interested in designing functional zeolitic materials.

Ionothermal syntheses and characterizations of new open-framework metal borophosphates.

Three new open-framework metal borophosphates, [Na(6)Co(3)B(2)P(5)O(21)Cl]·H(2)O (JIS-4), K(5)Mn(2)B(2)P(5)O(19)(OH)(2) (JIS-5), (NH(4))(8)[Co(2)B(4)P(8)O(30)(OH)(4)] (JIS-6), have been prepared under ionothermal conditions using ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([Emim]Br) as the solvent. They are the first examples of metalloborophosphate prepared by the ionothermal method. Their structures are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The 3-D open framework of JIS-4 is made of CoO(5)Cl octahedra, CoO(5) square pyramids, and PO(4) and BO(4) tetrahedra forming 12-ring channels along the [010] direction. It is noted that JIS-4 is the first 3-D open-framework structure in the family of borophosphate with the B/P ratio of 2/5, which features a borophosphate cluster anionic partial structure. Such cluster anionic partial structures connect with MnO(6) octahedra and MnO(5) trigonal bipyramids resulting in the formation of the 2-D layer structure of JIS-5 with the same B/P ratio as JIS-4. The 2-D layer structure of JIS-6 belongs to the largest family of borophosphate with a B/P ratio of 1/2 which features a unique 1-D chain anionic partial structure. Crystal data for JIS-4, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 14.0638(8) Å, b = 9.8813(7) Å, c = 14.0008(10) Å, V = 1945.7(2) Å(3), and Z = 2; for JIS-5, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 14.4939(3) Å, b = 9.2539(3) Å, c = 14.8031(4) Å, ß = 101.4600(10)°, V = 1945.88(9) Å(3), and Z = 4. For JIS-6, triclinic, P1, a = 9.6928(3) Å, b = 9.8747(3) Å, c = 10.0125(2) Å, α = 62.057(2)°, ß = 82.456(2)°, γ = 76.095(2)°, V = 821.60(4) Å(3), and Z = 1.

ACO-zeotype iron aluminum phosphates with variable Al/Fe ratios controlled by F⁻ ions.

Three new iron aluminum phosphates |(C(2)H(10)N(2))(4)|[Fe(8 - x)Al(x)F(x)(H(2)O)(2 - x)(PO(4))(8)]·2H(2)O (χ = 1.64, 1.33, 0.80) with ACO-zeotype structures denoted as FeAPO-CJ66(a), FeAPO-CJ66(b), and FeAPO-CJ66(c), respectively, have been synthesized in the fluoride ion system. Their framework structures are made of double 4-ring (D4R) building units formed by the alternating connection of Fe(Al)O(4)F(O) trigonal bipyramids and PO(4) tetrahedra, which possess 3D intersecting 8-ring channels running along the [001], [010], and [100] directions. Fluoride ions or water molecules reside in the center of D4Rs, and diprotonated ethylenediamine cations and water molecules are occluded in the free space of channels to stabilize the whole structure. Notably, the Al/Fe ratios in the frameworks can be effectively controlled from 1/3.9 to 1/5.0 to 1/9.0 by adjusting the amounts of phosphoric acid and hydrofluoric acid added to the initial reaction mixture. Mössbauer and magnetic measurements show that the Fe ions in the compounds are bivalent and undergo antiferromagnetic ordering at room temperature.

New lanthanide silicates based on anionic silicate chain, layer, and framework prepared under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.

Three new lanthanide silicates K(1.25)Gd(1.25)Si(2.5)O(7.5) (denoted as GdSiO-CJ7), Cs(3)TbSi(8)O(19)·2H(2)O (denoted as TbSiO-CJ8), and Cs(3)DySi(6)O(15) (denoted as DySiO-CJ9) were synthesized by using a high-temperature and high-pressure hydrothermal method. Their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed anionic silicate chain, layer and framework, which are further connected with LnO(n) polyhedra to form novel lanthanide silicate frameworks. The structure of GdSiO-CJ7 consists of unbranched silicate chains [Si(5)O(15)](10-) extending along the b axis, which are linked together by edge-sharing linked GdO(6) and GdO(8) chains along the c axis to form a 3-D framework with two types of 10-ring channels along the [010] and [001] directions, respectively. The structure of TbSiO-CJ8 consists of double 4,8-net sheets [Si(8)O(19)](6-) built up from SiO(4) tetrahedra, which are linked together via TbO(6) octahedra to form a 3-D framework with 8-ring channels along the [100] and [010] directions. The structure of DySiO-CJ9 is based on a 3-D silicate framework [Si(6)O(15)](6-) with 6-rings, where DyO(6) octahedra are located between two adjacent 6-rings and connected with six Si atoms via O atoms. The photoluminescence photoluminescence properties of TbSiO-CJ8 and EuSiO-CJ8 were investigated.

A crystalline germanate with mesoporous 30-ring channels.

A novel germanate |C(6)N(2)H(18)|(30)[Ge(9)O(18)X(4)](6)[Ge(7)O(14)X(3)](4)[Ge(7)O(14.42)X(2.58)](8)[GeX(2)](1.73) (X = OH, F) with 30-ring channels built from Ge(7)O(14)X(3) (Ge(7)) and Ge(9)O(18)X(4) (Ge(9)) clusters was obtained under solvothermal conditions. It has a mesoporous pore of 13.0 x 21.4 A(2), which represents the largest pore ring found in crystalline open-framework materials. The framework can be described as a 3-D net structure and viewed as introducing Ge(7) and Ge(9) clusters into the 4,8-heterocoordinated csq net.

Syntheses and characterizations of transition-metal-substituted aluminophosphate molecular sieves |(C3N2H5) 8|[M8Al16P24O96] (M = Co, Mn, Zn) with zeotype LAU topology.

Three transitional-metal-substituted aluminophosphate molecular sieves, |(C3N2H5)8|[M8Al16P24O96] (denoted MAPO-LAU, M = Co, Mn, Zn), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in the presence of imidazole as the structure-directing agent. Their structures are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma, thermogravimetric, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis) analyses. The structure of MAPO-LAU is based on the strict alternation of MO4/AlO4 tetrahedra and PO4 tetrahedra through vertex oxygen atoms. Their frameworks are analogous to the zeotype LAU structure in which 33% of the aluminum sites are replaced by transitional-metal ions. The protonated imidazole cations resided in the 10-ring channels. These compounds show photoluminescent properties due to the existence of imidazole molecules in the structures. Magnetic measurements reveal that there is very weak antiferromagnetic interaction among the metal centers of MnAPO-LAU.

Rational Design and Functionalization of a Zinc Metal-Organic Framework for Highly Selective Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol.

To develop potential metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) detection, an amino-functionalized Zn-MOF, [NH2(CH3)2][Zn4O(bpt)2(bdc-NH2)0.5]·5DMF (where H3bpt = biphenyl-3,4',5-tricarboxylate, H2bdc-NH2 = 2-aminoterephthalic acid, and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), has been designed theoretically and synthesized experimentally. Its structure is composed of Zn4O(CO2)7 secondary building units linked by mixed ligands, exhibiting a three-dimensional framework. Fluorescence exploration revealed that the amino-functionalized Zn-MOF shows high selectivity and sensitivity for TNP, which agrees well with the predictions of theoretical simulations. This work provides a suitable means to develop new potential MOFs for TNP detection performance with a combination of experimental and theoretical perspectives.

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy of anionic framework aluminophosphates: a new method to determine the al/p ratio.

A series of anionic framework aluminophosphates, with different Al/P ratios, have been investigated by various solid-state NMR techniques, including 27Al, 31P magic angle spinning (MAS), 27Al-->31P cross polarization (CP), 27Al{31P} rotational echo double resonance (REDOR), and 31P{27Al} transfer of population double resonance (TRAPDOR). Different Al coordinations (AlO4b, AlO5b, and AlO6b) and P coordinations (PO4b, PO3bOt, PO2bO2t, and PObO3t), where b represents bridging oxygens and t represents terminal oxygens, can be unambiguously determined based on the solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, a new method to determine the Al/P ratio of open-framework aluminophosphates has been established, which is useful for the understanding of unknown aluminophosphate structures.

Temperature-dependence of the influence of the position-2-methyl group on the structure-directing effect of piperazine in the synthesis of open-framework aluminophosphates.

The temperature-dependence of the influence of the position-2-methyl group on the structure-directing effect of piperazine in the synthesis of open-framework aluminophosphates was investigated. By heating the initial mixture with the composition of Al2O3:1.5 P2O5:R:125 H2O at 160 °C, where R is the structure-directing agent of 2-methylpiperazine or piperazine, layered aluminophosphates APMeP150 (R = 2-methylpiperazine) and AP2pip (R = piperazine) were obtained. When the same initial reaction mixture was heated at 190 °C, layered aluminophosphates APMeP200 (R = 2-methylpiperazine) and AP2pip (R = piperazine) were crystallized. APMeP200 and AP2pip have the same inorganic sheet topology. We investigated the crystallization processes of the four open-framework aluminophosphates and found that increasing the heating temperature slowed the crystallization of the initial mixtures. The non-bonding interactions between the inorganic layers of the four open-framework aluminophosphates and the experimental or theoretically generated structure-directing agents were calculated. The possible starting points of the crystallization of the four open-framework aluminophosphates were analysed and compared. The temperature-dependence of the influence of the position-2-methyl group on the structure-directing effect of piperazine revealed that the structure-directing effect, the most important factor in the synthesis of zeolites and related open-framework materials, is determined by multiple factors. The structural parameters of the same compound can be affected by the synthesis conditions.

A bioscaffolding strategy for hierarchical zeolites with a nanotube-trimodal network.

Hierarchical zeolite monoliths with multimodal porosity are of paramount importance as they open up new horizons for advanced applications. So far, hierarchical zeolites based on nanotube scaffolds have never been reported. Inspired by the organization of biominerals, we have developed a novel precursor scaffolding-solid phase crystallization strategy for hierarchical zeolites with a unique nanotube scaffolding architecture and nanotube-trimodal network, where biomolecular self-assembly (BSA) provides a scaffolding blueprint. By vapor-treating Sil-1 seeded precursor scaffolds, zeolite MFI nanotube scaffolds are self-generated, during which evolution phenomena such as segmented voids and solid bridges are observed, in agreement with the Kirkendall effect in a solid-phase crystallization system. The nanotube walls are made of intergrown single crystals rendering good mechanical stability. The inner diameter of the nanotube is tunable between 30 and 90 nm by varying the thickness of the precursor layers. Macropores enclosed by cross-linked nanotubes can be modulated by the choice of BSA. Narrow mesopores are formed by intergrown nanocrystals. Hierarchical ZSM-5 monoliths with nanotube (90 nm), micropore (0.55 nm), mesopore (2 nm) and macropore (700 nm) exhibit superior catalytic performance in the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) conversion compared to conventional ZSM-5. BSA remains intact after crystallization, allowing a higher level of organization and functionalization of the zeolite nanotube scaffolds. The current work may afford a versatile strategy for hierarchical zeolite monoliths with nanotube scaffolding architectures and a nanotube-multimodal network leading to self-supporting and active zeolite catalysts, and for applications beyond.

Accelerated crystallization of zeolites via hydroxyl free radicals.

In the hydrothermal crystallization of zeolites from basic media, hydroxide ions (OH(-)) catalyze the depolymerization of the aluminosilicate gel by breaking the Si,Al-O-Si,Al bonds and catalyze the polymerization of the aluminosilicate anions around the hydrated cation species by remaking the Si,Al-O-Si,Al bonds. We report that hydroxyl free radicals (•OH) are involved in the zeolite crystallization under hydrothermal conditions. The crystallization processes of zeolites-such as Na-A, Na-X, NaZ-21, and silicalite-1-can be accelerated with hydroxyl free radicals generated by ultraviolet irradiation or Fenton's reagent.