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Considering rapidly rising Hg emission from industrial waste effluents, it is imperative to explore practical and effective adsorbents for Hg. Herein, a mild and facile method has been developed to confine ultrasmall In 2 S 3 nanoparticles (about 2.5 nm) in the cavities of a MOF for the first time. The resulting composite (In 2 S 3 @MIL-101) can remove 99.95% of the Hg 2+ from wastewater very efficiently in as short as 1 min with the highest distribution coefficient (2.2 × 10 7 mL g -1 ) among all MOF-based mercury adsorbents. It also displays excellent selectivity for Hg even when other interferential metal ions are present, and it can be reused with almost retained adsorption capacity. All of these features make the composite a potential adsorbent for Hg removal from industrial wastewater.

We herein report the first example of Li + exchanged with both the guest H 2 N(Me) 2 + cations located in the channels and the coordinated metal ions from an anionic metal-organic framework (MOF), leading to significant enhancement of the pore volume and gas sorption abilities of the exchanged MOF. Furthermore, both MOFs before and after Li + exchange show good selective adsorption for CO 2 over CH 4 .

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.

The ongoing study of zirconium- and hafnium-porphyrinic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) led to the discovery of isostructural MOFs based on Zr8 and Hf8 clusters, which are unknown in both cluster and MOF chemistry. The Zr8O6 cluster features an idealized Zr8 cube, in which each Zr atom resides on one vertex and each face of the cube is capped by one μ4-oxygen atom. On each edge of the cube, a carboxylate from a porphyrinic ligand bridges two Zr atoms to afford a 3D MOF with a very rare (4,12)-connected ftw topology, in which two types of polyhedral cages with diameters of ∼1.1 and ∼2.0 nm and a cage opening of ∼0.8 nm are found. The isostructural Zr- and Hf-MOFs exhibit high surface areas, gas uptakes, and catalytic selectivity for cyclohexane oxidation.

A microporous metal-organic framework (MOF), PCN-922 [Cu(4)(ETTB)], containing a dendritic octatopic organic linker and a Cu(2)-paddlewheel structural motif, has been synthesized by using a Zn(2)-paddlewheel-based MOF as a template to prearrange the linkers for the Cu(2)-based MOF target. PCN-922 shows permanent porosity and excellent gas adsorption capacity.

In this work, for the first time, we have systematically demonstrated that solvent plays crucial roles in both controllable synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their structural transformation process. With solvent as the only variable, five new MOFs with different structures have been constructed, in which one MOF undergoes solvent-induced single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) transformation that involves not only solvent exchange but also the cleavage and formation of coordination bonds. Particularly, a significant crystallographic change has been realized through an unprecedented three-step SCSC transformation process. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the obtained MOF could be an excellent host for chromophores such as Alq3 for modulated luminescent properties.

A series of microporous lanthanide-organic framework enantiomers, Ln(BTC)(H(2)O)·(DMF)(1.1) (Ln = Y 1a, 1b; Tb 2a, 2b; Dy 3a, 3b; Er 4a, 4b; Yb 5a, 5b, BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) with unprecedented (6,6)-connected topology have been prepared and characterized. All these compounds exhibit very high thermal stability of over 450 °C. The pore characteristics and gas sorption properties of these compounds were investigated at cryogenic temperatures by experimentally measuring nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The studies show that all these compounds are highly porous with surface areas of 1080 (1), 786 (2), 757 (3), 676 (4), and 774 m(2)/g (5). The amounts of the hydrogen uptakes, 1.79 (1), 1.45 (2), 1.40 (3), 1.51 (4), and 1.41 wt % (5) at 77 K (1 atm), show their promising H(2) storage performances. These porous materials with considerable surface areas, high voids of 44.5% (1), 44.8% (2), 47.7% (3), 44.2% (4), and 45.7% (5), free windows of 6-7 Å, available exposed metal sites and very high thermal stability can be easily prepared on a large scale, which make them excellent candidates in many functional applications, such as, gas storage, catalysis, and so on.

Five new transition metal molybdenum(VI) selenites or tellurites, namely, TM(MoO(3))(SeO(3))(H(2)O) (TM = Mn, Co), Fe(2)(Mo(2)O(7))(SeO(3))(2)(H(2)O), Cu(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)), and Ni(3)(MoO(4))(TeO(3))(2), have been prepared and structurally characterized. They belong to five different types of structures. Mn(MoO(3))(SeO(3))(H(2)O) and Ni(3)(MoO(4))(TeO(3))(2) are non-centrosymmetric and crystallize in the orthorhombic space groups Pmc2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2(1), respectively, whereas Co(MoO(3))(SeO(3))(H(2)O), Fe(2)(Mo(2)O(7))(SeO(3))(2)(H(2)O), and Cu(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)) are centrosymmetric and crystallize in P1, C2/c, P2(1)/c, respectively. The Mo(6+) cations in Mn(MoO(3))(SeO(3))(H(2)O), Co(MoO(3))(SeO(3))(H(2)O), and Fe(2)(Mo(2)O(7))(SeO(3))(2)(H(2)O) are in severely distorted octahedral geometry whereas those in Cu(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)) and Ni(3)(MoO(4))(TeO(3))(2) are in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry. Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) measurements revealed that (MoO(3))(SeO(3))(H(2)O) displays a moderate SHG signal of about 3 x KH(2)PO(4) (KDP) whereas the SHG response of Ni(3)(MoO(4))(TeO(3))(2) is much weaker than that of KDP.

Two novel alkali(I) borogermanates with noncentrosymmetric structures, namely, CsB 3GeO 7 and K 2B 2Ge 3O 10, have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions in a platinum crucible. The structure of CsB 3GeO 7 features a novel three-dimensional (3D) framework composed of cyclic B 3O 7 (5-) groups that are interconnected by Ge(IV) cations, whereas the structure of K 2B 2Ge 3O 10 is a new 3D network based on cap-shaped [Ge 3B 2O 14] (10-) clusters that are interconnected via Ge-O-B bridges. CsB 3GeO 7 exhibits a second-harmonic generation (SHG) response that is about 1.5 times that of KDP (KH 2PO 4), whereas the SHG signal of K 2B 2Ge 3O 10 is very weak. Both compounds are insulators and transparent in the range of 300-5000 nm. The electronic structure calculations for both compounds also have been performed.

Metal selenites and tellurites are a class of very important compounds. In this paper, the structures and properties of metal selenites or tellurites combining with transition-metal (TM) ions with the d (0) electronic configuration or tetrahedral MO 4 building blocks of post-transition main-group elements were reviewed. Most compounds in the alkali or alkaline-earth-d (0) TM-Se (IV) (or Te (IV))-O systems exhibit extended anionic architectures composed of distorted octahedra of (d (0)) TM cations and tellurite or selenite groups. The distortion of the octahedron is always away from the lone-pair cation, and some of them exhibit excellent second-order nonlinear optical properties due to the adductive effects of two types of bond polarizations. Because of the high coordination number of Ln (III) ions, most of compounds in the Ln-d (0) TM-Se (IV) (or Te (IV))-O systems are not second-harmonic-generation active; however, they are able to emit strong luminescence in the visible or near-IR region; also in most cases, the d (0) TM cations are in tetrahedral geometry and are well separated from selenite or tellurite groups. It is also interesting to note that the selenite group is normally "isolated", whereas the TeO x ( x = 3-5) can be polymerized into a variety of discrete polynuclear anionic clusters or extended architectures via Te-O-Te bridges.

Two new metal selenites with a combination of vanadium(IV) or vanadium(V) cations, namely, ZnVSe 2O 7 and Cd 6V 2Se 5O 21, have been synthesized by hydrothermal and high-temperature solid-state reactions, respectively. The structure of ZnVSe 2O 7 features a 3D network of vanadium(IV) selenite with 1D tunnels occupied by zinc(II) ions. The 3D network of vanadium(IV) selenite is formed by corner-sharing V (IV)O 6 octahedral chains bridged by selenite groups. In Cd 6V 2Se 5O 21, the interconnection of cadmium(II) ions by bridging and chelating selenite groups led to a 3D framework with large tunnels along the b axis, and the 1D chains of corner-sharing V (V)O 4 tetrahedra are inserted in the above large tunnels and are bonded to the cadmium selenite framework via Cd-O-V bridges. Both compounds exhibit broad emission bands in the blue-light region. Results of magnetic property measurements show there is significant antiferromagnetic interaction between V (4+) centers in ZnVSe 2O 7. The electronic structure calculations for both compounds have been also performed.

Two new organically templated layered copper(I) sulfites, namely, {H2pip}{Cu3(CN)3(SO3)} (1) and {H2pip}{NaCu2(SO3)2Br(H2O)}.2H2O (2) (pip = piperazine), have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of copper(I) cyanide or copper(I) bromide with NaHSO3 and piperazine. Both compounds exhibit a layered structure. The 2D layer of {Cu3(CN)3(SO3)}2- in 1 is composed of 1D chains of copper(I) cyanide interconnected by sulfite anions via both Cu-S and Cu-O bonds, whereas the 2D layer of {NaCu2(SO3)2Br}2- in 2 is formed by 1D chains of copper(I) bromide and 1D sodium(I) aqua chains that are interconnected by sulfite anions via Na-O, Cu-S, and Cu-O bonds. Chemical bonding in 1 and 2 has been also investigated by theoretical calculations based on DFT methods.

Solid-state reactions of lanthanide(III) oxide (and/or lanthanide(III) oxychloride), MoO3 (or WO3), and TeO2 at high temperature lead to eight new luminescent compounds with four different types of structures, namely, Ln2(MoO4)(Te4O10) (Ln = Pr, Nd), La2(WO4)(Te3O7)2, Nd2W2Te2O13, and Ln5(MO4)(Te5O13)(TeO3)2Cl3 (Ln = Pr, Nd; M = Mo, W). The structures of Ln2(MoO4)(Te4O10) (Ln = Pr, Nd) feature a 3D network in which the MoO4 tetrahedra serve as bridges between two lanthanide(III) tellurite layers. La2(WO4)(Te3O7)2 features a triple-layer structure built of a [La2WO4]4+ layer sandwiched between two Te3O72- anionic layers. The structure of Nd2W2Te2O13 is a 3D network in which the W2O108- dimers were inserted in the large tunnels of the neodymium(III) tellurites. The structures of Ln5(MO4)(Te5O13)(TeO3)2Cl3 (Ln = Pr, Nd; M = Mo, W) feature a 3D network structure built of lanthanide(III) ions interconnected by bridging TeO32-, Te5O136-, and Cl- anions with the MO4 (M = Mo, W) tetrahedra capping on both sides of the Ln4 (Ln = Pr, Nd) clusters and the isolated Cl- anions occupying the large apertures of the structure. Luminescent studies indicate that Pr2(MoO4)(Te4O10) and Pr5(MO4)(Te5O13)(TeO3)2Cl3 (M = Mo, W) are able to emit blue, green, and red light, whereas Nd2(MoO4)(Te4O10), Nd2W2Te2O13, and Nd5(MO4)(Te5O13)(TeO3)2Cl3 (M = Mo, W) exhibit strong emission bands in the near-IR region.

Two new nickel(II) molybdenum(VI) selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) oxides generally formulated as Ni3(Mo2O8)(XO3) (X = Se, Te) have been synthesized by solid-state reactions of NiO, MoO3, and SeO2 (or TeO2). Both compounds feature 3D network structures built of [Mo4O16]8- tetranuclear cluster units and 2D nickel(II) selenite or tellurite layers. The nickel(II) selenite layer in Ni3(Mo2O8)(SeO3) is formed by [Ni6O22]32- hexanuclear clusters interconnected by selenite groups whereas the thick nickel(II) tellurite layer in Ni3(Mo2O8)(TeO3) is constructed by corrugated nickel(II) oxide chains bridged by the tellurite groups. The results of magnetic property measurements indicate that there are considerable ferromagnetic interactions between nickel(II) centers in both compounds. Their optical properties and band structures have been also studied.

Three new members in the family of nickel(II) tellurium(IV)/selenium(IV) oxyhalides generally formulated as Ni(n+1)(QO3)nX2 (Q = Te, X = Cl, n = 6, 10; Q = Se, X = Br, n = 4) have been synthesized by solid-state reactions of NiX2, QO2, and NiO (or Ni2O3) at high temperature. The structure of Ni7(TeO3)6Cl2 features a novel 3D network based on Ni4ClO3 cubane-like clusters with Te atoms located at the cavities of the network. Ni4ClO3 clusters are interconnected into a hexagonal layer through additional O...O edges. The neighboring two layers are further interconnected, via sharing of common Ni(II) atoms, into a novel 3D network. The 3D open framework of Ni5(SeO3)4Br2 is built from 2D nickel(II) oxybromide layers bridged by Se and additional Ni atoms. The structure of Ni11(TeO3)10Cl2 features a condensed 3D network based on NiO5Cl, NiO6, and NiO5 polyhedra interconnected via corner and edge sharing, as well as O-Te-O bridges. The results of magnetic property measurements indicate that all three compounds display antiferromagnetic interactions between nickel(II) centers.

Initial attempts to prepare new Ln-Cd-Te-O-Cl compounds led to the isolation of two novel cadmium tellurium(IV) oxychlorides with two different types of structures, namely, [Cd(2)(Te(6)O(13))][Cd(2)Cl(6)] and Cd(7)Cl(8)(Te(7)O(17)). Both compounds feature novel polymeric tellurium(IV) oxide anions and unusual cadmium chloride substructures. The structure of [Cd(2)(Te(6)O(13))][Cd(2)Cl(6)] is composed of 1D [Cd(2)Cl(6)](2)(-) double chains and (002) [Cd(2)(Te(6)O(13))](2+) layers. The 1D Te(6)O(13)(2)(-) slab of the [Cd(2)(Te(6)O(13))](2+) layer is formed by TeO(3), TeO(4), and TeO(5) groups via corner- and edge-sharing, and it contains six- and seven-membered tellurium(IV) polyhedral rings. The structure of Cd(7)Cl(8)(Te(7)O(17)) features a 3D network with long-narrow tunnels along the b axis. The two types of structural building blocks are 1D [Te(7)O(17)](6)(-) anions and unusual corrugated [Cd(7)Cl(8)](6+) layers based on "cyclohexane-like" Cd(3)Cl(3) rings.

Solid state reactions of lanthanide oxide, MoO3 and SeO2 (or TeO2) at high temperature in an evacuated quartz tube lead to four new Ln-Mo-Se(Te)-O quaternary phases with four different types of structures, namely, Nd2MoSe2O10, Gd2MoSe3O12, La2MoTe3O12, and Nd2MoTe3O12. The structure of Nd2MoSe2O10 features a 3D architecture built by the intergrowth of the Nd-Se-O layers with the Nd-Mo-O layers. The structure of Gd2MoSe3O12 contains a 3D network of gadolinium selenite with the MoO6 octahedra occupying the cavities of the structure. The structure of La2MoTe3O12 features a 3D network of La2(Te3O8)2+ with the tunnels along the a axis occupied by the MoO4 tetrahedra. Nd2MoTe3O12 features a 2D layer built by the lanthanide ions interconnected by tellurite groups and ditellurite groups, with the MoO4 tetrahedra as the interlayer pendant groups. Room temperature and low temperature luminescent studies indicate that Nd2MoSe2O10 and Nd2MoTe3O12 exhibit strong luminescence in the near-IR region.