Mixed-Valence CuI /CuIII Metal-Organic Frameworks with Non-innocent Ligand for Multielectron Transfer.

We report two novel three-dimensional copper-benzoquinoid metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [Cu4 L3 ]n and [Cu4 L3 ⋅ Cu(iq)3 ]n (LH4 =1,4-dicyano-2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxybenzene, iq=isoquinoline). Spectroscopic techniques and computational studies reveal the unprecedented mixed valency in MOFs, formal Cu(I)/Cu(III). This is the first time that formally Cu(III) species are witnessed in metal-organic extended solids. The coordination between the mixed-valence metal and redox-non-innocent ligand L, which promotes through-bond charge transfer between Cu metal sites, allows better metal-ligand orbital overlap of the d-π conjugation, leading to strong long-range delocalization and semiconducting behavior. Our findings highlight the significance of the unique mixed valency between formal Cu(I) and highly-covalent Cu(III), non-innocent ligand, and pore environments of these bench stable Cu(III)-containing frameworks on multielectron transfer and electrochemical properties.

Cyclotetrabenzoin Acetate: A Macrocyclic Porous Molecular Crystal for CO2 Separations by Pressure Swing Adsorption*.

A porous molecular crystal (PMC) assembled by macrocyclic cyclotetrabenzoin acetate is an efficient adsorbent for CO2 separations. The 7.1×7.1 Šsquare pore of PMC and its ester C=O groups play important roles in improving its affinity for CO2 molecules. The benzene walls of macrocycle engage in an apparent [π⋅⋅⋅π] interaction with the molecule of CO2 at low pressure. In addition, the polar carbonyl groups pointing inward the square channels reduce the size of aperture to a 5.0×5.0 Šsquare, which offers kinetic selectivity for CO2 capture. The PMC features water tolerance and high structural stability under vacuum and various gas adsorption conditions, which are rare among intrinsically porous organic molecules. Most importantly, the moderate adsorbate-adsorbent interaction allows the PMC to be readily regenerated, and therefore applied to pressure swing adsorption processes. The eluted N2 and CH4 are obtained with over 99.9 % and 99.8 % purity, respectively, and the separation performance is stable for 30 cycles. Coupled with its easy synthesis, cyclotetrabenzoin acetate is a promising adsorbent for CO2 separations from flue and natural gases.

Dissecting Porosity in Molecular Crystals: Influence of Geometry, Hydrogen Bonding, and [π···π] Stacking on the Solid-State Packing of Fluorinated Aromatics.

Porous molecular crystals are an emerging class of porous materials that is unique in being built from discrete molecules rather than being polymeric in nature. In this study, we examined the effects of molecular structure of the precursors on the formation of porous solid-state structures with a series of 16 rigid aromatics. The majority of these precursors possess pyrazole groups capable of hydrogen bonding, as well as electron-rich aromatics and electron-poor tetrafluorobenzene rings. These precursors were prepared using a combination of Pd- and Cu-catalyzed cross-couplings, careful manipulations of protecting groups on the nitrogen atoms, and solvothermal syntheses. Our study varied the geometry and dimensions of precursors, as well as the presence of groups capable of hydrogen bonding and [π···π] stacking. Thirteen derivatives were crystallographically characterized, and four of them were found to be porous with surface areas between 283 and 1821 m2 g-1. Common to these four porous structures were (a) rigid trigonal geometry, (b) [π···π] stacking of electron-poor tetrafluorobenzenes with electron-rich pyrazoles or tetrazoles, and

A Zirconium Macrocyclic Metal-Organic Framework with Predesigned Shape-Persistent Apertures.

A microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized from [Zr6 O4 (OH)4 (C6 H5 COO)12 ] clusters and a triacid ligand based on a shape-persistent arylene ethynylene macrocycle. This framework, dubbed Zr-MCMOF, is held together by metal-ligand coordination and multiple weak interactions: hydrogen bonding, [π⋅⋅⋅π] stacking, and [C-H⋅⋅⋅π] interactions. The rigid ligand has a 9 Å-wide central void, which serves as a predesigned aperture for the 1D channels; all of the porosity of Zr-MCMOF comes from the ligand. The resulting framework possesses high hydrolytic and thermal stability and a flexible structure unique among Zr-based MOFs.

Poly(isophthalic acid)(ethylene oxide) as a Macromolecular Modulator for Metal-Organic Polyhedra.

A new strategy was developed by using a polymer ligand, poly(isophthalic acid)(ethylene oxide), to modulate the growth of metal-organic polyhedra (MOP) crystals. This macromolecular modulator can effectively control the crystal habit of several different Cu24L24 (L = isophthalic acid derivatives) MOPs. The polymer also directed the formation of MOP structures under reaction conditions that only produce metal-organic frameworks in the absence of modulator. Moreover, the polymer also enabled the deposition of MOP crystals on glass surfaces. This macromolecular modulator strategy provides an innovative approach to control the morphology and assembly of MOP particles.

Absorbate-induced piezochromism in a porous molecular crystal.

Atmospherically stable porous frameworks and materials are interesting for heterogeneous solid-gas applications. One motivation is the direct and selective uptake of pollutant/hazardous gases, where the material produces a measurable response in the presence of the analyte. In this report, we present a combined experimental and theoretical rationalization for the piezochromic response of a robust and porous molecular crystal built from an extensively fluorinated trispyrazole. The electronic response of the material is directly determined by analyte uptake, which provokes a subtle lattice contraction and an observable bathochromic shift in the optical absorption onset. Selectivity for fluorinated absorbates is demonstrated, and toluene is also found to crystallize within the pore. Furthermore, we demonstrate the application of electronic structure calculations to predict a physicochemical response, providing the foundations for the design of electronically tunable porous solids with the chemical properties required for development of novel gas-uptake media.

macrocycle embrace: encapsulation of fluoroarenes by m-phenylene ethynylene host.

We report structural characterization of a new member of m-phenylene ethynylene ring family. This shape-persistent macrocycle also co-crystallizes with hexafluoro-, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-, 1,3,5-trifluoro, and 1,4-difluorobenzene. The four complexes are almost isostructural, and all show the fluoroarene included into the central cavity of the macrocycle. Characterized by multiple short C - H⋅⋅⋅F - C contacts, these inclusion complexes further dimerize in the solid state into a 2+2 assembly, in which the two macrocycles embrace each other by their large hydrophobic groups that are rotated by 60° relative to one another.

Mesoporous Fluorinated Metal-Organic Frameworks with Exceptional Adsorption of Fluorocarbons and CFCs.

Two mesoporous fluorinated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized from extensively fluorinated tritopic carboxylate- and tetrazolate-based ligands. The tetrazolate-based framework MOFF-5 has an accessible surface area of 2445 m(2) g(-1), the highest among fluorinated MOFs. Crystals of MOFF-5 adsorb hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)-the latter two being ozone-depleting substances and potent greenhouse species-with weight capacities of up to 225%. The material exhibits an apparent preference for the adsorption of non-spherical molecules, binding unusually low amounts of both tetrafluoromethane and sulfur hexafluoride.

MOF-based nanozyme grafted with cooperative Pt(IV) prodrug for synergistic anticancer therapy.

Manipulating Fenton chemistry in tumor microenvironment (TME) for the generation of reactive oxygen species is an effective strategy for chemodynamic therapy. However, this is usually restricted by limited intracellular content of H2O2 and insufficient acidic environment at the tumor site. Herein, a ferric metal-organic framework (MOF) is covalently grafted with a prodrug of cisplatin (Pt(IV) prodrug) and loaded with a biocatalyst glucose oxidase (GOx) to afford a nanozyme MOF-Pt(IV)@GOx for cascade reactions. In this system, the attached Pt(IV) prodrug on MOF plays a significant role in the cooperative enhancement of GOx loading and chemotherapy. The high concentration of glutathione in TME reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) for Fenton reaction, and converts Pt(IV) prodrug to cisplatin for DNA targeting and H2O2 production. Meanwhile, glucose oxidation catalyzed by GOx not only consumes glucose for starvation therapy, but also promotes the intracellular acidity and H2O2 supply in TME, which are in favor of Fenton reaction. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that MOF-Pt(IV)@GOx enables remarkable anticancer efficacy due to the synergistic trimodal therapy consisting of ferroptosis, starvation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Metal-organic frameworks constructed from crown ether-based 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives.

A series of unprecedented crown ether- and thiacrown ether-derivatized benzene dicarboxylic acid (H2bdc) ligands has been synthesized and incorporated into the prototypical isoreticular metal-organic framework (IRMOF) and UiO-66 materials. In the case of UiO-66, only MOFs comprised from a mixed-ligand composition, requiring both unsubstituted bdc and crown ether containing ligands, could be prepared. These are among the few ligand derivatives, and resulting MOFs, that incorporate a macrocyclic group directly on the bdc ligand, providing a new, modular platform for exploring new supramolecular and coordination chemistry within MOFs.

Adsorption of fluorinated anesthetics within the pores of a molecular crystal.

Commonly used inhalation anesthetics-enflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, halothane, and methoxyflurane-are adsorbed within the pores of a porous fluorinated molecular crystal to the tune of up to 73.4(±0.2)% by weight. Uptake of all studied anesthetics is quite fast, typically reaching saturation in less than three minutes.

A mesoporous metal-organic framework based on a shape-persistent macrocycle.

A mesoporous Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF) was prepared from a shape-persistent phenylene ethynylene macrocycle functionalized with three -COOH groups. The rigid ligand has a ∼9 Å wide central cavity which serves as a predesigned pore. The macrocycles [π···π] stack into pairs, with their carboxylate groups connected via three Zn3O14C6H2 clusters. The resulting MOF has a void volume of 86%.

Thermally robust and porous noncovalent organic framework with high affinity for fluorocarbons and CFCs.

Metal-organic and covalent organic frameworks are porous materials characterized by outstanding thermal stability, high porosities and modular synthesis. Their repeating structures offer a great degree of control over pore sizes, dimensions and surface properties. Similarly precise engineering at the nanoscale is difficult to achieve with discrete molecules, since they rarely crystallize as porous structures. Here we report a small organic molecule that organizes into a noncovalent organic framework with large empty pores. This structure is held together by a combination of [N-H···N] hydrogen bonds between the terminal pyrazole rings and [π···π] stacking between the electron-rich pyrazoles and electron-poor tetrafluorobenzenes. Such a synergistic arrangement makes this structure stable to at least 250 °C and porous, with an accessible surface area of 1,159 m(2) g(-1). Crystals of this framework adsorb hydrocarbons, CFCs and fluorocarbons-the latter two being ozone-depleting substances and potent greenhouse species-with weight capacities of up to 75%.

Superhydrophobic perfluorinated metal-organic frameworks.

Three perfluorinated Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were prepared starting from extensively fluorinated biphenyl-based ligands accessed via C-H functionalization. These new materials are highly hydrophobic: with water contact angles of up to 151 ± 1°, they are among the most water-repellent MOFs ever reported.

Triply ferrocene-bridged boroxine cyclophane.

Mild solvothermal dehydration of 1,1'-ferrocenediboronic acid produces a triply ferrocene-bridged boroxine cyclophane. Its crystal structure reveals a rigid trigonal prism that presents a minimal boroxine-based covalent organic polyhedron (COP).