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Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations have been used to predict structural transitions of the breathing metal–organic framework (MOF) MIL-53(Sc) in response to changes in temperature over the range 100–623 K and adsorption of CO2 at 0–0.9 bar at 196 K. The method has for the first time been shown to predict successfully both temperature-dependent structural changes and the structural response to variable sorbate uptake of a flexible MOF. AIMD employing dispersion-corrected density functional theory accurately simulated the experimentally observed closure of MIL-53(Sc) upon solvent removal and the transition of the empty MOF from the closed-pore phase to the very-narrow-pore phase (symmetry change from P21/c to C2/c) with increasing temperature, indicating that it can directly take into account entropic as well as enthalpic effects. We also used AIMD simulations to mimic the CO2 adsorption of MIL-53(Sc) in silico by allowing the MIL-53(Sc) framework to evolve freely in response to CO2 loadings corresponding to the two steps in the experimental adsorption isotherm. The resulting structures enabled the structure determination of the two CO2-containing intermediate and large-pore phases observed by experimental synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies with increasing CO2 pressure; this would not have been possible for the intermediate structure via conventional methods because of diffraction peak broadening. Furthermore, the strong and anisotropic peak broadening observed for the intermediate structure could be explained in terms of fluctuations of the framework predicted by the AIMD simulations. Fundamental insights from the molecular-level interactions further revealed the origin of the breathing of MIL-53(Sc) upon temperature variation and CO2 adsorption. These simulations illustrate the power of the AIMD method for the prediction and understanding of the behavior of flexible microporous solids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structure of the small pore scandium terephthalate Sc2(O2CC6H4CO2)3 (hereafter Sc2BDC3, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) has been investigated as a function of temperature and of functionalization, and its performance as an adsorbent for CO2 has been examined. The structure of Sc2BDC3 has been followed in vacuo over the temperature range 140 to 523 K by high resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, revealing a phase change at 225 K from monoclinic C2/c (low temperature) to Fddd (high temperature). The orthorhombic form shows negative thermal expansivity of 2.4 × 10-5 K-1: Rietveld analysis shows that this results largely from a decrease in the c axis, which is caused by carboxylate group rotation. 2H wide-line and MAS NMR of deuterated Sc2BDC3 indicates reorientation of phenyl groups via π flips at temperatures above 298 K. The same framework solid has also been prepared using monofunctionalized terephthalate linkers containing -NH2 and -NO2 groups. The structure of Sc2(NH2-BDC)3 has been determined by Rietveld analysis of synchrotron powder diffraction at 100 and 298 K and found to be orthorhombic at both temperatures, whereas the structure of Sc2(NO2-BDC)3 has been determined by single crystal diffraction at 298 K and Rietveld analysis of synchrotron powder diffraction at 100, 298, 373, and 473 K and is found to be monoclinic at all temperatures. Partial ordering of functional groups is observed in each structure. CO2 adsorption at 196 and 273 K indicates that whereas Sc2BDC3 has the largest capacity, Sc2(NH2-BDC)3 shows the highest uptake at low partial pressure because of strong -NH2⋯CO2 interactions. Remarkably, Sc2(NO2-BDC)3 adsorbs 2.6 mmol CO2 g-1 at 196 K (P/P0 = 0.5), suggesting that the -NO2 groups are able to rotate to allow CO2 molecules to diffuse along the narrow channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extended series of MIL-53(M)_X metal-organic frameworks (MIL = Materials of Institute Lavoisier; M = Al, Cr, Fe, Sc; X = Cl, CH3, NO2) have been systematically investiaged to explore the impact of the nature of both the metal centre and the functions grafted on to the organic linker on the mechanical behaviour of this family of highly flexible hybrid porous frameworks under the application of an external pressure of up to 3 GPa. The high-pressure X-ray diffraction measurements allowed the characterization of the pressure-induced phase transitions of the hydrated structures, the associated volume changes/pressure transitions, and their mechanical resilience through the determination of their bulk moduli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]