Enhanced Cuprophilic Interactions in Crystalline Catalysts Facilitate the Highly Selective Electroreduction of CO2 to CH4.

Cu(I)-based catalysts have proven to play an important role in the formation of specific hydrocarbon products from electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, it is difficult to understand the effect of intrinsic cuprophilic interactions inside the Cu(I) catalysts on the electrocatalytic mechanism and performance. Herein, two stable copper(I)-based coordination polymer (NNU-32 and NNU-33(S)) catalysts are synthesized and integrated into a CO2 flow cell electrolyzer, which exhibited very high selectivity for electrocatalytic CO2-to-CH4 conversion due to clearly inherent intramolecular cuprophilic interactions. Substitution of hydroxyl radicals for sulfate radicals during the electrocatalytic process results in an in situ dynamic crystal structure transition from NNU-33(S) to NNU-33(H), which further strengthens the cuprophilic interactions inside the catalyst structure. Consequently, NNU-33(H) with enhanced cuprophilic interactions shows an outstanding product (CH4) selectivity of 82% at -0.9 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode, j = 391 mA cm-2), which represents the best crystalline catalyst for electrocatalytic CO2-to-CH4 conversion to date. Moreover, the detailed DFT calculations also prove that the cuprophilic interactions can effectively facilitate the electroreduction of CO2 to CH4 by decreasing the Gibbs free energy change of potential determining step (*H2COOH → *OCH2). Significantly, this work first explored the effect of intrinsic cuprophilic interactions of Cu(I)-based catalysts on the electrocatalytic performance of CO2RR and provides an important case study for designing more stable and efficient crystalline catalysts to reduce CO2 to high-value carbon products.

Rational Design of Crystalline Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction with H2 O.

Solar energy-driven conversion of CO2 into fuels with H2 O as a sacrificial agent is a challenging research field in photosynthesis. Herein, a series of crystalline porphyrin-tetrathiafulvalene covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are synthesized and used as photocatalysts for reducing CO2 with H2 O, in the absence of additional photosensitizer, sacrificial agents, and noble metal co-catalysts. The effective photogenerated electrons transfer from tetrathiafulvalene to porphyrin by covalent bonding, resulting in the separated electrons and holes, respectively, for CO2 reduction and H2 O oxidation. By adjusting the band structures of TTCOFs, TTCOF-Zn achieved the highest photocatalytic CO production of 12.33 µmol with circa 100 % selectivity, along with H2 O oxidation to O2 . Furthermore, DFT calculations combined with a crystal structure model confirmed the structure-function relationship. Our work provides a new sight for designing more efficient artificial crystalline photocatalysts.

Evolution of Luminescent Supramolecular Lanthanide M2nL3n Complexes from Helicates and Tetrahedra to Cubes.

Lanthanide-containing molecules have many potential applications in material science and biology, that is, luminescent sensing/labling, MRI, magnetic refrigeration, and catalysis among others. Coordination-directed self-assembly has shown great power in the designed construction of well-defined supramolecular systems. However, application of this strategy to the lanthanide edifices is challenging due to the complicated and greatly labile coordination numbers and geometries for lanthanides. Here we demonstrate a sensitive structural switching phenomenon during the stereocontrolled self-assembly of a group of Ln2nL3n (Ln for lanthanides, L for organic ligands, and n = 1, 2, 4) compounds. Systematic variation of the offset distances between the two chelating arms on the bis(tridentate) ligands dictated the final outcomes of the lanthanide assembly, ranging from Ln2L3 helicates and Ln4L6 tetrahedra to Ln8L12 cubes. Remarkably, the borderline case leading to the formation of a mixture of the helicate and the tetrahedron was clearly revealed. Moreover, the concentration-dependent self-assembly of an unprecedented cubic Ln8L12 complex was also confirmed. The luminescent lanthanide cubes can serve as excellent turn-off sensors in explosives detection, featuring high selectivity and sensitivity toward picric acid. All complexes were confirmed by NMR, ESI-TOF-MS, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Our results provide valuable design principles for the coordination self-assembly of multinuclear functional lanthanide architectures.

Microporous Hexanuclear Ln(III) Cluster-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks: Color Tunability for Barcode Application and Selective Removal of Methylene Blue.

Two hexanuclear Ln(III) cluster-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Ln = Tb or Eu) and a series of isomorphic bimetallic Ln(III)-MOFs have been synthesized by changing the ratio of Tb(III) and Eu(III) under solvothermal conditions. The excellent linear color tunability (from green to red) makes them suitable for barcode application. In addition, the anionic Ln(III)-MOFs exhibit superior uptake capacity toward methylene blue (MB+) by an ion-exchange process, and its reversible adsorption performance makes 1 suitable for removal of organic dye MB+. The as-prepared anionic hexanuclear Ln(III) cluster-based MOFs can serve as a multifunctional material for an optical and environmental area.

Exceptionally Robust In-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Highly Efficient Carbon Dioxide Capture and Conversion.

An In-based metal-organic framework, with 1D nanotubular open channels, In2(OH)(btc)(Hbtc)0.4(L)0.6·3H2O (1), has been synthesized via an in situ ligand reaction, in which 1,2,4-H3btc is partially transformed into the L ligand. Compound 1 exhibits exceptional thermal and chemical stability, especially in water or acidic media. The activated 1 presents highly selective sorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) over dinitrogen. Interestingly, diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy with a carbon monoxide probe molecule demonstrates that both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites are involved in compound 1. As a result, as a heterogeneous Lewis and Brønsted acid bifunctional catalyst, 1 possesses excellent activity and recyclability for chemical fixation of CO2 coupling with epoxides into cyclic carbonates under mild conditions. In addition, the mechanism for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction has also been discussed.

Robust molecular bowl-based metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites: size modulation to increase the catalytic activity.

Herein, two stable lead(II) molecular-bowl-based metal-organic frameworks and their micro- and nanosized forms with open metal sites were presented. These materials could act as Lewis acid catalysts to cyanosilylation reaction. Moreover, the catalytic performances are size-dependent, with the catalyst with nanosized form being 1 order of magnitude more efficient than those with micro- and millisized forms.

Bottom-Up Construction of Mesoporous Nanotubes from 78-Component Self-Assembled Nanobarrels.

Segmental and continuous hexagonal-packed mesoporous metal-organic nanotubes (MMONTs) with outside diameters of up to 4.5 nm and channel sizes of 2.4 nm were hierarchically constructed by a rational multicomponent self-assembly process involving starting from [L2Pd2(NO3)2] (L=o-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine) and 4-pyridinyl-3-pyrazole. An unprecedented crystallization-driven cross-linking between discrete nanobarrel building units by spontaneous loss of the capping ligands to form infinite nanotubes was observed. Such a barrel-to-tube transformation provides new possibilities for the fabrication of MMONTs using the solution bottom-up approach.

Three-dimensional frameworks based on dodecanuclear Dy-hydroxo wheel cluster with slow relaxation of magnetization.

Two new heterometallic coordination polymers, [Na4Ln12(stp)8(OH)16(H2O)12]·10H2O [Ln = Dy (1) and Ho (2)], have been prepared from monosodium 2-sulfoterephthalate (NaH2stp), dysprosium acetate, or holmium acetate. They are isostructural, possessing a [Ln12(µ3-OH)16](20+) wheel-cluster core based on four vertex-sharing cubane-like [Ln4(µ3-OH)4](8+) units. The Ln12 cores are linked by stp ligands into a three-dimensional (3D) architecture. Magnetic studies indicate that complex 1 exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization, and it can be regarded as the first 3D coordination assembly of a Dy12 cluster single-molecule magnet.

Construction of two microporous metal-organic frameworks with flu and pyr topologies based on Zn4(µ3-OH)2(CO2)6 and Zn6(µ6-O)(CO2)6 secondary building units.

By employment of a tripodal phosphoric carboxylate ligand, tris(4-carboxylphenyl)phosphine oxide (H3TPO), two novel porous metal-organic frameworks, namely, [Zn4(µ3-OH)2(TPO)2(H2O)2] (1) and [Zn6(µ6-O)(TPO)2](NO3)4·3H2O (2), have been synthesized by solvothermal methods. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit three-dimensional microporous frameworks with flu and pyr topologies and possess rare butterfly-shaped Zn4(µ3-OH)2(CO2)6 and octahedral Zn6(µ6-O)(CO2)6 secondary building units, respectively. Large cavities and one-dimensional channels are observed in these two frameworks. Gas-sorption measurements indicate that complex 2 has a good H2 uptake capacity of 171.9 cm(3) g(-1) (1.53 wt %) at 77 K and 1.08 bar, and its ideal adsorbed solution theory calculation predicts highly selective adsorption of CO2 over N2 and CH4. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 exhibit excellent blue emission at room temperature.

Chlorine-induced assembly of a cationic coordination cage with a µ5-carbonato-bridged Mn(II)24 core.

Chlorine caged in! The chlorine-induced assembly of six shuttlecock-like tetranuclear Mn(II) building blocks generated in situ based on p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and facial anions gave rise to a novel truncated distorted octahedral cationic coordination cage with a µ(5)-carbonato-bridged Mn(II)(24) core.

In situ formed white-light-emitting lanthanide-zinc-organic frameworks.

Five novel 3D heterometallic lanthanide-zinc-organic frameworks, [H(H(2)O)(8)][LnZn(4)(imdc)(4)(Him)(4)] [Ln = La (1), Pr (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5); H(3)imdc = 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid; Him = imidazole], were synthesized via an in situ hydrothermal reaction, and tunable luminescence from yellow to white was obtained through the doping of Eu and Tb ions in the La-Zn framework.

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of a family of tetra-, hexa-, and nonanuclear Mn/Ni heterometallic clusters.

A family of Mn(III)/Ni(II) heterometallic clusters, [Mn(III)(4)Ni(II)(5)(OH)(4)(hmcH)(4)(pao)(8)Cl(2)]·5DMF (1·5DMF), [Mn(III)(3)Ni(II)(6)(N(3))(2)(pao)(10)(hmcH)(2)(OH)(4)]Br·2MeOH·9H(2)O (2·2MeOH·9H(2)O), [Mn(III)Ni(II)(5)(N(3))(4)(pao)(6)(paoH)(2)(OH)(2)](ClO(4))·MeOH·3H(2)O (3·MeOH·3H(2)O), and [Mn(III)(2)Ni(II)(2)(hmcH)(2)(pao)(4)(OMe)(2)(MeOH)(2)]·2H(2)O·6MeOH (4·2H(2)O·6MeOH) [paoH = pyridine-2-aldoxime, hmcH(3) = 2, 6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-p-cresol], has been prepared by reactions of Mn(II) salts with [Ni(paoH)(2)Cl(2)], hmcH(3), and NEt(3) in the presence or absence of NaN(3) and characterized. Complex 1 has a Mn(III)(4)Ni(II)(5) topology which can be described as two corner-sharing [Mn(2)Ni(2)O(2)] butterfly units bridged to an outer Mn atom and a Ni atom through alkoxide groups. Complex 2 has a Mn(III)(3)Ni(II)(6) topology that is similar to that of 1 but with two corner-sharing [Mn(2)Ni(2)O(2)] units of 1 replaced with [Mn(3)NiO(2)] and [MnNi(3)O(2)] units as well as the outer Mn atom of 1 substituted by a Ni atom. 1 and 2 represent the largest 3d heterometal/oxime clusters and the biggest Mn(III)Ni(II) clusters discovered to date. Complex 3 possesses a [MnNi(5)(µ-N(3))(2)(µ-OH)(2)](9+) core, whose topology is observed for the first time in a discrete molecule. Careful examination of the structures of 1-3 indicates that the Mn/Ni ratios of the complexes are likely associated with the presence of the different coligands hmcH(2-) and/or N(3)(-). Complex 4 has a Mn(III)(2)Ni(II)(2) defective double-cubane topology. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetization studies were carried out on complexes 1-4. Fitting of the obtained M/(Nµ(B)) vs H/T data gave S = 5, g = 1.94, and D = -0.38 cm(-1) for 1 and S = 3, g = 2.05, and D = -0.86 cm(-1) for 3. The ground state for 2 was determined from ac data, which indicated an S = 5 ground state. For 4, the pairwise exchange interactions were determined by fitting the susceptibility data vs T based on a 3-J model. Complex 1 exhibits out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals, indicating it may be a SMM.

Ultrahigh-Uptake Capacity-Enabled Gas Separation and Fruit Preservation by a New Single-Walled Nickel-Organic Framework.

High gas-uptake capacity is desirable for many reasons such as gas storage and sequestration. Moreover, ultrahigh capacity can enable a practical separation process by mitigating the selectivity factor that sometimes compromises separation efficiency. Herein, a single-walled nickel-organic framework with an exceptionally high gas capture capability is reported. For example, C2H4 and C2H6 uptake capacities are at record-setting levels of 224 and 289 cm3 g-1 at 273 K and 1 bar (169 and 110 cm3 g-1 at 298 K and 1 bar), respectively. Such ultrahigh capacities for both gases give rise to an excellent separation performance, as shown for C2H6/C2H4 with breakthrough times of 100, 60 and 30 min at 273, 283 and 298 K and under 1 atm. This new material is also shown to readily remove ethylene released from fruits, and once again, its ultrahigh capacity plays a key role in the extraordinary length of time achieved in the preservation of the fruit freshness.

Unprecedented marriage of a cationic pentanuclear cluster and a 2D polymeric anionic layer based on a flexible tripodal ligand and a Cu(II) ion.

The anionic CdI(2)-type topological net, [Cu(2)(tci)(2)](2-), and the pentanuclear copper cluster cation [Cu(5)(tci)(2)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(8)](2+) [tci = tris(2-carboxyethyl)isocyanurate] form a complementary 3D supramolecular framework. Interestingly, there exist centrosymmetric cyclic (H(2)O)(18) clusters in the cavities.

Synthesis and characterization of a family of penta- and tetra-manganese(III) complexes derived from an assembly system containing tert-butylphosphonic acid.

A family of manganese complexes, [Mn 5O 3( t-BuPO 3) 2(MeCOO) 5(H 2O)(phen) 2] ( 1), [Mn 5O 3( t-BuPO 3) 2(PhCOO) 5(phen) 2] ( 2), [Mn 4O 2( t-BuPO 3) 2(RCOO) 4(bpy) 2] (R = Me, ( 3); R = Ph, ( 4)), NBu (n) 4[Mn 4O 2(EtCOO) 3(MeCOO) 4(pic) 2] ( 5), NR' 4[Mn 4O 2( i-PrCOO) 7(pic) 2] (R' = Bu (n) , ( 6); R' = Et, ( 7)), were synthesized and characterized. The seven manganese clusters were all prepared from a reaction system containing tert-butylphosphonic acid, Mn(O 2CR) 2 (R = Me, Ph) and NR' 4MnO 4 (R' = Bu (n) , Et) with similar procedures except for using different N-containing ligands (1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and picolinic acid (picH)) as coligands. The structures of these complexes vary with the N-containing donors. Both the cores of complexes 1 and 2 feature three mu 3-O and two capping t-BuPO 3 (2-) groups bridging five Mn (III) atoms to form a basket-like cage structure. Complexes 3 and 4 both have one [Mn 4(mu 3-O) 2] (8+) core with four coplanar Mn (III) atoms disposed in an extended "butterfly-like" arrangement and two capping mu 3- t-BuPO 3 (2-) binding to three manganese centers above and below the Mn 4 plane. Complexes 5, 6, and 7 all possess one [Mn 4(mu 3-O) 2] (8+) core just as complexes 3 and 4, but they display a folded "butterfly-like" conformation with the four Mn (III) atoms nonplanar. Thus, the seven compounds are classified into three types, and three representative compounds 1.2H 2O.MeOH.MeCN , 3.6H 2O.2MeCOOH , and 5.0.5H 2O have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, ESI-MS spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and in situ UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical analysis. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the existence of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Mn (III) ions in compound 1.2H 2O.MeOH.MeCN , and antiferromagnetic interactions in 3.6H 2O.2MeCOOH and 5.0.5H 2O. Fitting the experimental data led to the following parameters: J 1 = -2.18 cm (-1), J 2 = 6.93 cm (-1), J 3 = -13.94 cm (-1), J 4 = -9.62 cm (-1), J 5 = -11.17 cm (-1), g = 2.00 ( 1.2H 2O.MeOH.MeCN ), J 1 = -5.41 cm (-1), J 2 = -35.44 cm (-1), g = 2.13, zJ' = -1.55 cm (-1) ( 3.6H 2O.2MeCOOH ) and J 1 = -2.29 cm (-1), J 2 = -35.21 cm (-1), g = 2.02, zJ' = -0.86 cm (-1) ( 5.0.5H 2O ).

Fast, highly selective and sensitive anionic metal-organic framework with nitrogen-rich sites fluorescent chemosensor for nitro explosives detection.

Developing a highly efficient fluorescent sensor for detection of trace amounts of nitro explosives remains a great challenge. Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one class of promising fluorescent sensors towards small molecules. Herein, we constructed an anionic Zn-based MOF FJI-C8 based on π-conjugated aromatic ligand H6TDPAT (2,4,6-tris(3,5-dicarboxylphenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine) containing nitrogen-rich sites. On account of the high density of uncoordinated N atoms, the high overlap between the emission spectrum of the anionic MOF FJI-C8 and the UV-vis absorption spectrum of the representative nitro explosive 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP), and the porosity of the MOF, FJI-C8 is demonstrated to be an excellent chemosensor for 2,4-DNP with fast response time (less than 30s), high selectivity (Ksv=5.11×104M-1 for 2,4-DNP), extra sensitivity (LOD=0.002866mM for 2,4-DNP), low usage amount (0.04mg/mL), good stability and quantitative detection features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example for highly selective detection of 2,4-DNP. More importantly, theoretical calculation and control experiments unveiled that the energy transfer is the main mechanism for highly detection of 2,4-DNP. This work will pave the way for designing highly efficient luminescent chemosensors.

Combination between lacunary polyoxometalates and high-nuclear transition metal clusters under hydrothermal conditions: I. from isolated cluster to 1-D chain.

The hydrothermal reactions of [A-alpha-SiW(9)O(34)](10-)/[A-alpha-PW(9)O(34)](9-) with NiCl(2) x 6H(2)O and amines yielded four unprecedented hybrid high-nuclear Ni-subsituted polyoxotungstates.

A porous covalent porphyrin framework with exceptional uptake capacity of saturated hydrocarbons for oil spill cleanup.

A highly porous porphyrin-based organic polymer, PCPF-1, was constructed via homo-coupling reaction of the custom-designed porphyrin ligand, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)porphyrin. PCPF-1 possesses a large BET surface area of over 1300 m(2) g(-1) (Langmuir surface area of over 2400 m(2) g(-1)) and exhibits strong hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 135°, and these features afford it the highest adsorptive capacities for saturated hydrocarbons and gasoline among sorbent materials reported thus far, as well as render it the capability to remove oil from water.

A novel MOF with mesoporous cages for kinetic trapping of hydrogen.

A stable MOF, assigned PCN-105, with two types of mesoporous cages, has been prepared by using a new multidentate flexible ligand with amine functional groups, and PCN-105 exhibits a marked N(2), O(2), Ar and H(2) hysteretic behaviour.