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Trigonal planar M3(O/OH) trimers are among the most important clusters in inorganic chemistry and are the foundational features of multiple high‐impact MOF platforms. Here we introduce a concept called isoreticular cluster series and demonstrate that M3(O/OH), as the first member of a supertrimer series, can be combined with a higher hierarchical member (double‐deck trimer here) to advance isoreticular chemistry. We report here an isoreticular series of pore‐space‐partitioned MOFs called M3M6pacs made from co‐assembly between M3 single‐deck trimer and M3x2 double‐deck trimer. Important factors were identified on this multi‐modular MOF platform to guide optimization of each module, which enables the phase selection of M3M6pacs by overcoming the formation of previously‐always‐observed same‐cluster phases. The new pacs materials exhibit high surface area and high uptake capacity for CO2 and small hydrocarbons, as well as selective adsorption properties relevant to separation of industrially important mixtures such as C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/C2H4. Furthermore, new M3M6pacs materials show electrocatalytic properties with high activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐module design of framework materials with multiple distinct building blocks has attracted much attention because such materials are more amenable to compositional and geometrical tuning and thus offer more opportunities for property optimization. Few examples are known that use environmentally friendly and cost‐effective solvent‐free method to synthesize such materials. Here, we report the use of solvent‐free method (also modulator‐free) to synthesize a series of multi‐module MOFs with high stability and separation property for C2H2/CO2. The synthesis only requires simple mixing of reactants and short reaction time (2 h). Highly porous and stable materials can be made without any post‐synthetic activation. The success of solvent‐free synthesis of multi‐module MOFs reflects the synergy between different modules, resulting in stable pore‐partitioned materials, despite the fact that other competitive crystallization pathways with simpler framework compositions also exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ideal adsorbent for separation requires optimizing both storage capacity and selectivity, but maximizing both or achieving a desired balance remain challenging. Herein, a de‐linker strategy is proposed to address this issue for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Broadly speaking, the de‐linker idea targets a class of materials that may be viewed as being intermediate between zeolites and MOFs. Its feasibility is shown here by a series of ultra‐microporous MOFs (SNNU‐98‐M, M=Mn, Co, Ni, Zn). SNNU‐98 exhibit high volumetric C2H2 uptake capacity under low and ambient pressures (175.3 cm3 cm−3 @ 0.1 bar, 222.9 cm3 cm−3 @ 1 bar, 298 K), as well as extraordinary selectivity (2405.7 for C2H2/C2H4, 22.7 for C2H2/CO2). Remarkably, SNNU‐98‐Mn can efficiently separate C2H2 from C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/C2H4 mixtures with a benchmark C2H2/C2H4 (1/99) breakthrough time of 2325 min g−1, and produce 99.9999 % C2H4 with a productivity up to 64.6 mmol g−1, surpassing values of reported MOF adsorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi‐stage core‐expansion method is proposed here as one component of the integrative binding‐site/extender/core‐expansion (BEC) strategy. The conceptual deconstruction of the partitioning ligand into three editable parts draws our focus onto progressive core expansion and allows the optimization of both acetylene uptake and selectivity. The effectiveness of this strategy is shown through a family of eight cationic pore‐partitioned materials containing three different partitioning ligands and various counter anions. The optimized structure, Co3‐cpt‐tph‐Cl (Hcpt=4‐(p‐carboxyphenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole, H‐tph=(2,5,8‐tri‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,4,6,7,9‐hexaazaphenalene) with the largest surface area and highest C2H2 uptake capacity (200 cm3/g at 298 K), also exhibits (desirably) the lowest CO2 uptake and hence the highest C2H2/CO2 selectivity. The successful boost in both C2H2 capacity and IAST selectivity allows Co3‐cpt‐tph‐Cl to rank among the best crystalline porous materials, ionic MOFs in particular, for C2H2 uptake and C2H2/CO2 experimental breakthrough separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here a one‐step method for synthesizing multi‐component and in‐situ‐formed homochiral spiroborate‐ester‐based metal‐organic framework CPM‐B1. This unique material successfully integrates COF fragment spiroborate ester within the MOF and simultaneously incorporate homochirality and helicity. In addition, CPM‐B1 is a rare example of framework materials that results from the cooperative assembly of three charge‐complementary cations: +1 (lithium), +2 (cobalt), and +3 (boron). The sophistication of the co‐assembly is further highlighted by the three structural roles of lithium ions. This unique structure contributes to its multi‐functional properties such as ionic conductivity and catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (by CPM‐B1 carbonized material) and provides a new path to develop MOF materials with complex secondary building units and multi‐functional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new rod‐packing metal–organic frameworks (RPMOF) are constructed by regulating the in situ formation of the capping agent. In CPM‐s7, carboxylate linkers extend 1D manganese‐oxide chains in four additional directions, forming 3D RPMOF. The substitution of Mn2+ with a stronger Lewis acidic Co2+, leads to an acceleration of the hydrolysis‐prone sulfonate linker, resulting in presence of sulfate ions to reduce two out of the four carboxylate‐extending directions, and thus forming a new 2D rod‐packing CPM‐s8. Density functional theory calculations and magnetization measurements reveal ferrimagnetic ordering of CPM‐s8, signifying the potential of exploring 2D RPMOF for effective low‐dimensional magnetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonprecious transition metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the most promising precursors for developing electrocatalysts with high porosity and structural rigidity. This study reports the synthesis of high efficiency electrocatalysts based on S‐doped NiFeP. MOF‐derived S‐doped NiFeP structure is synthesized by a one‐step phosphorization process with using S‐doped MOFs as the precursor, which is more convenient and environment friendly, and also helps retain the samples' framework. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of the NiFeP catalysts can be improved after partially replacing P by S due to the tunable electronic structure. The optimized CCS‐NiFeP‐10 reaches a current density of 10 mA cm–2 for OER with an overpotential of 201 mV and outperforms most NiFe‐based catalysts. The S doping plays an important role in tuning the ΔG values for intermediates formation in Ni atoms to a suitable value and exhibits a pronouncedly improved the OER performance. CCS‐NiFeP‐20 sample presents excellent HER performance due to the d‐band center downshifting from the Fermi level. When the voltage of the electrolytic cell is 1.50 V, a current density of 10 mA cm–2 can be obtained. This strategy paves the way for designing highly active none‐noble metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here a strategy for making anionic pacs type porous materials by combining pore space partition with charge reallocation. The method uses the first negatively charged pore partition ligand (2,5,8‐tri‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,4,6,7,9‐hexaazaphenalene, H‐tph) that simultaneously enables pore partition and charge reallocation. Over two dozen anionic pacs materials have been made to demonstrate their excellent chemical stability and a high degree of tunability. Notably, Ni3‐bdt‐tph (bdt=1,4‐benzeneditetrazolate) exhibits month‐long water stability, while CoV‐bdt‐tph sets a new benchmark for C2H2 storage capacity under ambient conditions for ionic MOFs. In addition to tunable in‐framework modules, we show feasibility to tune the type and concentration of extra‐framework counter cations and their influence on both stability and capability to separate industrial C3H8/C3H6 and C6H6/C6H12 mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For rare‐earth separation, selective crystallization into metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) offers new opportunities. Especially important is the development of MOF platforms with high selectivity toward target ions. Here we report a MOF platform (CPM‐66) with low‐coordination‐number environment for rare‐earth ions. This platform is highly responsive to the size variation of rare‐earth ions and shows exceptional ion‐size selectivity during crystallization. CPM‐66 family are based on M3O trimers (M=6‐coordinated Sc, In, Er‐Lu) that are rare for lanthanides. We show that the size matching between urea‐type solvents and metal ions is crucial for their successful synthesis. We further show that CPM‐66 enables a dramatic multi‐fold increase in separation efficiency over CPM‐29 with 7‐coordinated ions. This work provides some insights into methods to prepare low‐coordinate MOFs from large ions and such MOFs could serve as high‐efficiency platforms for lanthanide separation, as well as other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction of pore partition agents into hexagonal channels of MIL‐88 type (acs topology) endows materials with high tunability in gas sorption. Here, we report a strategy to partition acs framework into pacs (partitioned acs) crystalline porous materials (CPM). This strategy is based on insertion of in situ synthesized 4,4′‐dipyridylsulfide (dps) ligands. One third of open metal sites in the acs net are retained in pacs MOFs; two thirds are used for pore‐space partition. The Co2V‐pacs MOFs exhibit near or at record high uptake capacities for C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and CO2 among MOFs. The storage capacity of C2H2 is 234 cm3 g−1 (298 K) and 330 cm3 g−1 (273 K) at 1 atm for CPM‐733‐dps (the Co2V‐BDC form, BDC=1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate). These high uptake capacities are accomplished with low heat of adsorption, a feature desirable for low‐energy‐cost adsorbent regeneration. CPM‐733‐dps is stable and shows no loss of C2H2 adsorption capacity following multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction of pore partition agents into hexagonal channels of MIL‐88 type (acs topology) endows materials with high tunability in gas sorption. Here, we report a strategy to partition acs framework into pacs (partitioned acs) crystalline porous materials (CPM). This strategy is based on insertion of in situ synthesized 4,4′‐dipyridylsulfide (dps) ligands. One third of open metal sites in the acs net are retained in pacs MOFs; two thirds are used for pore‐space partition. The Co2V‐pacs MOFs exhibit near or at record high uptake capacities for C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and CO2 among MOFs. The storage capacity of C2H2 is 234 cm3 g−1 (298 K) and 330 cm3 g−1 (273 K) at 1 atm for CPM‐733‐dps (the Co2V‐BDC form, BDC=1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate). These high uptake capacities are accomplished with low heat of adsorption, a feature desirable for low‐energy‐cost adsorbent regeneration. CPM‐733‐dps is stable and shows no loss of C2H2 adsorption capacity following multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many rod‐packing metal‐organic frameworks are known, few are based on ordered heterometallic rod building unit. We show here the synthesis of CPM‐76 based on an unprecedented Zn‐Mg bimetallic rod with crystallographically distinguishable metal sites. The configuration of the rod offers two types of coordination site with trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral sites selectively occupied by Zn and Mg, respectively. Also unusual is the inter‐connection mode between the rods, which is based on dual‐charged forms (−3 and −2) of the 2‐hydroxyterephthalic acid (H3OBDC) ligand. Interestingly, each metal site in CPM‐76 binds one solvent molecule, leading to a high density of solvent binding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are traditionally synthesized solvothermally by using cost‐ and waste‐incurring organic solvents. Here, a direct synthesis method is reported for ZIF‐8, ZIF‐67, and their heterometallic versions from solid precursors only. This solvent‐free crystallization method not only completely avoids organic solvents, but also provides an effective path for the synthesis of homogeneous mixed‐metal ZIFs. Furthermore, under templating by NaCl/ZnCl2 eutectic salt, carbonization of the ZIF materials gives rise to a series of N‐containing high‐surface‐area carbon materials with impressive catalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strategy called ultramicroporous building unit (UBU) is introduced. It allows the creation of hierarchical bi‐porous features that work in tandem to enhance gas uptake capacity and separation. Smaller pores from UBUs promote selectivity, while larger inter‐UBU packing pores increase uptake capacity. The effectiveness of this UBU strategy is shown with a cobalt MOF (denoted SNNU‐45) in which octahedral cages with 4.5 Å pore size serve as UBUs. The C2H2 uptake capacity at 1 atm reaches 193.0 cm3 g−1 (8.6 mmol g−1) at 273 K and 134.0 cm3 g−1 (6.0 mmol g−1) at 298 K. Such high uptake capacity is accompanied by a high C2H2/CO2 selectivity of up to 8.5 at 298 K. Dynamic breakthrough studies at room temperature and 1 atm show a C2H2/CO2 breakthrough time up to 79 min g−1, among top‐performing MOFs. Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations agree that ultrahigh C2H2/CO2 selectivity is mainly from UBU ultramicropores, while packing pores promote C2H2 uptake capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embedding cubane [M4(OH)4] (M=Ni, Co) clusters within the matrix of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is a strategy to develop materials with unprecedented synergistic properties. Herein, a new material type based on the pore‐space partition of the cubic primitive minimal‐surface net (MOF‐14‐type) has been realized. CTGU‐15 made from the [Ni4(OH)4] cluster not only has very high BET surface area (3537 m2 g−1), but also exhibits bi‐microporous features with well‐defined micropores at 0.86 nm and 1.51 nm. Furthermore, CTGU‐15 is stable even under high pH (0.1 m KOH), making it well suited for methanol oxidation in basic medium. The optimal hybrid catalyst KB&CTGU‐15 (1:2) made from ketjen black (KB) and CTGU‐15 exhibits an outstanding performance with a high mass specific peak current of 527 mA mg−1 and excellent peak current density (29.8 mA cm−2) at low potential (0.6 V). The isostructural cobalt structure (CTGU‐16) has also been synthesized, further expanding the application potential of this material type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new magnesium metal–organic framework (MOF) (CPM‐107) with a special interaction with CO2. CPM‐107 contains Mg2‐acetate chains crosslinked into a 3D net by terephthalate. It has an anionic framework encapsulating ordered extra‐framework cations and solvent molecules. The desolvated form is closed and unresponsive to common gasses, such as N2, H2, and CH4. Yet, with CO2 at 195 K, it abruptly opens and turns into a rigid porous form that is irreversible via desorption. Once opened by CO2, CPM‐107 remains in the stable porous state accessible to additional gas types over multiple cycles or CO2 itself at different temperatures. The porous phase can be re‐locked to return to the initial closed phase via re‐solvation and desolvation. Such peculiar properties of CPM‐107 are apparently linked to a convergence of factors related to both framework and extra‐framework features. The unusual CO2 effect is currently the only available path to porous CPM‐107 which shows efficient C2H2/CO2 separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of new cluster building blocks, as well as new ligand coordination modes, are among the most effective ways to develop new framework materials. Yet, large and chiral clusters are both difficult to create and relatively few. Here, by studying the competing coordination of different azolates against carboxylate and combined carboxylate/phenolate, it is shown that the impact of azolates in the MOF‐74 synthesis system differs dramatically, leading to the synthesis of MOF‐74, UTSA‐74, and CPM‐72 for 2‐methylimidazole, 1,2,4‐triazole, and 1,2,3‐triazole, respectively. The new CPM‐72 contains a novel chiral Zn12 triazolate cluster, which features a trigonal‐prismatic Zn6 core inside an octahedral Zn6 shell. In contrast with MOF‐74 with fully deprotonated and symmetrically bonded 2,5‐dihydroxyterephthalic acid (H4DOBDC), H4DOBDC adopts an unusual nonsymmetric bonding mode in CPM‐72 (carboxylate only at one end and carboxylate/phenolate at the other), resulting in a highly porous and intrinsically chiral 3D framework. The nonsymmetric bonding mode by H4DOBDC, apparently dictated by the chiral Zn12 cluster, can be replicated with 2‐hydroxyterephthalic acid (H3OBDC), leading to the synthesis of porous isoreticular CPM‐73. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of a symmetry‐ and size‐matching pore‐partitioning agent in the form of either a molecular ligand, such as 2,4,6‐tri(4‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (tpt), or a metal‐complex cluster, into the hexagonal channels of MIL‐88/MOF‐235‐type (the acs net) to create pacs‐type (partitioned acs) crystalline porous materials is an effective strategy to develop high‐performance gas adsorbents. We have developed an integrated COF–MOF coassembly strategy as a new method for pore‐space partitioning through the coassembly of [(M3(OH)1−x(O)x(COO)6] MOF‐type and [B3O3(py)3] COF‐type trimers. With this strategy, the coordination‐driven assembly of the acs framework occurred concurrently and synergistically with the COF‐1‐type condensation of pyridine‐4‐boronic acid into a C3‐symmetric trimeric boroxine molecule. The resulting boroxine‐based pacs materials exhibited dramatically enhanced gas‐sorption properties as compared to nonpartitioned acs‐type materials and are among the most efficient NH3‐sorption materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of heterometallic units and nanostructures into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) used for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) can enhance the electrocatalytic performance and help elucidate underlying mechanisms. We have synthesized a series of stable MOFs (CTGU‐10a1–d1) based on trinuclear metal carboxylate clusters and a hexadentate carboxylate ligand with a (6,6)‐connected nia net. We also present a strategy to synthesize hierarchical bimetallic MOF nanostructures (CTGU‐10a2–d2). Among these, CTGU‐10c2 is the best material for the OER, with an overpotential of 240 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 58 mV dec−1. This is superior to RuO2 and confirms CTGU‐10c2 as one of the few known high‐performing pure‐phase MOF‐OER electrocatalysts. Notably, bimetallic CTGU‐10b2 and c2 show an improved OER activity over monometallic CTGU‐10a2 and d2. Both DFT and experiments show that the remarkable OER performance of CTGU‐10c2 is due to the presence of unsaturated metal sites, a hierarchical nanobelt architecture, and the Ni–Co coupling effect. Finding the right balance: The integration of heterometallic clusters and nanostructures into stable hierarchical nanosheet‐based bimetal–organic frameworks allows to increase the oxygen evolution reaction performance of electrocatalysts. The ideal ratio between Co and Ni leads to one of the best performances of pure‐phase MOF–OER electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many metal oxalate salts are known, few are known to form zeolite‐type topologies. The construction of zeolite types, especially those with low framework density such as RHO, from linear ligands is generally perceived as less likely, because the 180° metal‐ligand‐metal geometry deviates too much from the established strategy of using ligands with bent coordination geometry (centered around 145°) to mimic the geometry in natural zeolites. We show the general feasibility of using linear ligands for the synthesis of zeolite types by reporting a family of indium oxalate salts with multiple zeolite topologies, including RHO, GIS, and ABW. Of particular interest is the synthesis of a zeolite RHO net with double 8‐rings and large alpha cages, which are highly desirable zeolite features. Lay it on the straight line: The general feasibility of using linear ligands for the synthesis of zeolite types is demonstrated by the construction of a family of indium oxalate salts with multiple zeolite topologies, including RHO, GIS, and ABW. Of particular interest is the synthesis of a zeolite RHO net with double 8‐rings and large alpha cages, which are highly desirable zeolite features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Zeolite‐type chalcogenides are desirable due to their integration between porosity and semiconductivity. CPM‐120, with super‐sodalite topology (Zeolite Structure Code: RWY), is among the few zeolite‐type chalcogenides with permanent porosity, and is the only chalcogenide with a zeolite code. Importantly, the RWY‐type has evolved into a platform for studying properties of porous chalcogenides. Yet so far, few studies have been made to probe the effects of synthetic parameters and framework compositions on this platform. Here, we probe the effects of the third metal type (Ga3+, In3+, Cd2+, and Sn4+) on the Zn2+/Ge4+/S2− platform. We find that charge‐complementary and size‐compatible Ga3+ leads to the synthesis of CPM‐120‐ZnGaGeS which is the first trimetallic zeolite‐type chalcogenide, with improved crystal morphology and reproducibility. We also find that charge‐compatible and size‐complementary cations (Cd2+ or Sn4+) can induce an abrupt phase transition from super‐sodalite to super‐diamond, also with unprecedented trimetallic T2 clusters. For In3+, which is dual‐complementary (charge and size), a gradual phase transition is observed with increasing In3+ amount. Furthermore, by controlling the cluster composition, tunable band gaps can be realized. These materials show promising properties such as high CO2 uptake (4.32 mmol cm−3, 298 K, 1 bar) and high photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Homochiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an important class of chiral solids with potential applications in chiral recognition; however, relatively few are available. Of great importance is the availability of low‐cost, racemization‐resistant, and versatile enantiopure building blocks. Among chiral building blocks, d‐camphoric acid is highly prolific, yet, its trans‐isomer, l‐isocamphoric acid, has remained unknown in the entire field of solid‐state materials. Its rich yet totally untapped synthetic and structural chemistry has now been investigated through the synthesis of a large family of homochiral metal isocamphorates. The first observation of diastereoisomerism in isostructural MOFs is presented. Isocamphorate has a powerful ability to create framework topologies unexpected from common inorganic building blocks, and isocamphoric acid should allow access to hundreds of new homochiral materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In porous materials, metal sites with coordinate solvents offer opportunities for many applications, especially those promoted by host–guest chemistry, but such sites are especially hard to create for Li‐based materials, because unlike transition metals, lithium does not usually possess a high‐enough coordination number for both framework construction and guest binding. This challenge is addressed by mimicking the functional group ratio and metal‐to‐ligand charge ratio in MOF‐74. A family of rod‐packing lithium–organic frameworks (CPM‐47, CPM‐48, and CPM‐49) were obtained. These materials exhibit an extremely high density of guest‐binding lithium sites. Also unusual is the homo‐helical rod‐packing in the CPM series, as compared to the hetero‐helical rod packing by helices of opposite handedness in MOF‐74. This work demonstrates new chemical and structural possibilities in developing a record‐setting high density of guest‐binding metal sites in inorganic–organic porous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A facile and general strategy is presented to create well‐defined heterojunctions with ultra‐small multimetallic sulfide nanoparticles (MMSNPs) uniformly coated on sliver nanowires. A unique aspect of this method is the atomic‐level pre‐integration of multimetallic components by exploiting recently developed supertetrahedral metal sulfide nanoclusters. The use of such nanoclusters also enables the convenient formation of the ultrathin interfacial Ag2S layer via etching. The heterojunctions (denoted as MMSNPs/Ag2S/Ag‐NWs) benefit from adjustable multimetallic components and display tunable visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic performance owing to the synergistic effect of multimetallic components from MMSNPs and the high carrier mobility of Ag‐NWs. The synthetic strategy opens new routes to designing and fabricating various heterojunctions with multimetallic components, which could further expand their applications in catalysis, electronics, and photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new strategy for creating homochiral metal–organic frameworks through a fusion of pillaring and templating concepts is demonstrated. This strategy makes use of the synergy among various chemical interactions during self‐assembly processes, and leads to the synthesis of a series of homochiral frameworks. In the presence of only pillar‐to‐pillar π–π interactions, inter‐pillar forces compete against metal–pillar interactions, resulting in mismatch between pillar‐to‐pillar and metal‐to‐metal separations and consequently 2D materials without pillaring. To create 3D materials, a method was developed to use various aromatic molecules, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particular, as templates to modulate the inter‐pillar interaction and separation, leading to the formation of 3D homochiral frameworks. The use of aromatic molecules, especially hydrocarbons, as structure‐directing agents, represents a new approach in the development of crystalline porous materials. Aromatic templates can be post‐synthetically extracted to yield flexible porous homochiral materials with gate‐opening gas sorption behaviors for both N2 and CO2 at partial pressures tunable by temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reported herein are two new polymorphic Co-MOFs (CTGU-5 and -6) that can be selectively crystallized into the pure 2D or 3D net using an anionic or neutral surfactant, respectively. Each polymorph contains a H2O molecule, but differs dramatically in its bonding to the framework, which in turn affects the crystal structure and electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Both experimental and computational studies find that 2D CTGU-5 which has coordinates water and more open access to the cobalt site has higher electrocatalytic activity than CTGU-6 with the lattice water. The integration with co-catalysts, such as acetylene black (AB) leads to a composite material, AB&CTGU-5 (1:4) with very efficient HER catalytic properties among reported MOFs. It exhibits superior HER properties including a very positive onset potential of 18 mV, low Tafel slope of 45 mV dec−1, higher exchange current density of 8.6×10−4 A cm−2, and long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of novel photocatalysts usually centers on features such as band structures, various nano-, micro-, or macro-forms, and composites in efforts to tune their light absorption and charge separation efficiency. In comparison, the selectivity of photocatalysts with respect to features of reactants such as size and charge has received much less attention, in part due to the difficulty in designing semiconducting photocatalysts with uniform pore size. Here, we use crystalline porous chalcogenides as a platform to probe reactant selectivity in photocatalytic processes. The 3-in-1 integration of high surface area, uniform porosity, and favorable band structures in such chalcogenides makes them excellent candidates for efficient and selective photocatalytic processes. We show that their photocatalytic activity and selectivity are closely related to their differing affinity and selectivity for different guest species. In particular, unlike common solid-state photocatalysts with neutral framework, the anionic nature of the porous chalcogenide framework used here endows them with a high degree of selectivity for cationic species in both guest exchange and closely coupled photocatalytic transformation of such guests. Another interesting discovery is the observation of an unusual ion exchange process involving a transient state of over-saturation of exchanged ions, which can be explained by a transition from an initially kinetically controlled process to a subsequent thermodynamically controlled one. This work is part of ongoing efforts to contribute to the development of a new generation of crystalline porous photocatalysts with custom-designed selectivity for various reactants or products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cationic frameworks can selectively trap anions through ion exchange, and have applications in ion chromatography and drug delivery. However, cationic frameworks are much rarer than anionic or neutral ones. Herein, we propose a concept, preemptive coordination (PC), for targeting positively charged metal-organic frameworks (P-MOFs). PC refers to proactive blocking of metal coordination sites to preclude their occupation by neutralizing ligands such as OH−. We use 20 MOFs to show that this PC concept is an effective approach for developing P-MOFs whose high stability, porosity, and anion-exchange capability allow immobilization of anionic nucleotides and coenzymes, in addition to charge- and size-selective capture or separation of organic dyes. The CO2 and C2H2 uptake capacity of 117.9 cm3 g−1 and 148.5 cm3 g−1, respectively, at 273 K and 1 atm, is exceptionally high among cationic framework materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs) or frameworks (MOFs) based on Cr3+ are notoriously difficult to synthesize, especially as crystals large enough to be suitable for characterization of the structure or properties. It is now shown that the co-existence of In3+ and Cr3+ induces a rapid crystal growth of large single crystals of heterometallic In-Cr-MOPs with the [M8L12] (M=In/Cr, L=dinegative 4,5-imidazole-dicarboxylate) cubane-like structure. With a high concentration of protons from 12 carboxyl groups decorating every edge of the cube and an extensive H-bonded network between cubes and surrounding H2O molecules, the newly synthesized In-Cr-MOPs exhibit an exceptionally high proton conductivity (up to 5.8×10−2 S cm−1 at 22.5 °C and 98 % relative humidity, single crystal). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new synthetic method to fabricate Ti3+-modified, highly stable TiO2 photoanodes for H2O oxidation is reported. With Ti foil as both the conducting substrate and the Ti3+/Ti4+ source, one-dimensional blue Ti3+/TiO2 crystals were grown by a one-step hydrothermal reaction. The concentration of Ti3+ was further tuned by N2H4 reduction, leading to a greater photoelectrocatalytic activity, as evidenced by a high photocurrent density of 0.64 mAcm-2 at 1.0 V vs RHE under simulated AM 1.5 G illumination. Electron paramagnetic resonance and Mott-Schottky plots reveal that higher charge-carrier density owing to N2H4 reduction contributes to the observed improvement. The generality of this synthesis method was demonstrated by its effectiveness in improving the performance of other types of photoanodes. By integrating the advantages of the 1D TiO2 architecture with those of Ti3+ self-doping, this work provides a versatile tool toward the fabrication of efficient TiO2 photoanodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdS nanoclusters of four different sizes were integrated with ruthenium-complex dyes. The cluster-dye crystalline composites, [Cd4(SPh)10][Ru(bpy)3], [Cd8S(SPh)16][Ru(bpy)3], [Cd8S(SPh)13⋅Cl⋅(CH3OCS2)2][Ru(phen)3], [Cd17S4(SPh)28][Ru(bpy)3], and [Cd32S14(SPh)40][Ru(phen)3]2 (phen=1,10-phenanthroline and bpy=bipyridine), show intense absorption in the visible-light region. They also exhibit size-dependent photocurrent responses under the illumination of visible light. The photocurrent increases with increased cluster size. The dyes also have significant influence on the photocurrent generation of the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BIFing it up: The assembly between triangular HB(mim)3 units and tetrahedral Zn centers (see graphic) leads to the formation of a ctn‐type BIF material with high porosity for gas storage and separation (mim=2‐methylimidazolate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]