Search for: All records

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed with M⁰nodes are attractive targets due to the reactivity of these low‐valent metals, but examples of these MOFs remain exceedingly rare. The rational design of three‐dimensional MOFs with Pd⁰and Pt⁰nodes using tetratopic phosphine ligands is reported. Five new MOFs have been synthesized by systematic variation of the phosphine ligands and metal precursors employed, and these represent the first examples of MOFs constructed using phosphine–metal bonds as the sole structural component. The MOFs display solid‐state luminescence, with emission maxima that are significantly red‐shifted compared to Pd(PPh₃)₄. In addition, a Rh^Ilow‐valent coordination solid based on the same linker design is reported, which displays solid‐state luminescence that is not observed for the molecular analogue.

 

The development of catalysts capable of fast, robust C−H bond amination under mild conditions is an unrealized goal despite substantial progress in the field of C−H activation in recent years. A Mn‐based metal–organic framework (CPF‐5) is described that promotes the direct amination of C−H bonds with exceptional activity. CPF‐5 is capable of functionalizing C−H bonds in an intermolecular fashion with unrivaled catalytic stability producing >10⁵turnovers.

 

Recent demonstrations of melting in the metal–organic framework (MOF) family have created interest in the interfacial domain between inorganic glasses and amorphous organic polymers. The chemical and physical behaviour of porous hybrid liquids and glasses is of particular interest, though opportunities are limited by the inaccessible melting temperatures of many MOFs. Here, we show that the processing technique of flux melting, ‘borrowed’ from the inorganic domain, may be applied in order to melt ZIF-8, a material which does not possess an accessible liquid state in the pure form. Effectively, we employ the high-temperature liquid state of one MOF as a solvent for a secondary, non-melting MOF component. Differential scanning calorimetry, small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, electron microscopy and X-ray total scattering techniques are used to show the flux melting of the crystalline component within the liquid. Gas adsorption and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurements show that this results in enhanced, accessible porosity to a range of guest molecules in the resultant flux melted MOF glass.