A net-based approach to coordination polymers 
A novel style of 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymer incorporated trigonal prismatic coordination geometry with bidentate co-ligands
A novel 2D Hofmann-type corrugated framework possessing MnII centres in the trigonal prismatic coordination geometry was derived by a combination of a quasi C4v symmetric building unit [MVN(CN)4]2− and a bidentate co-ligand dmbpy.
Radical qubits photo-generated in acene-based metal–organic frameworks
The generality of photo-induced generation of radicals with long T1 and T2 values in a series of acene-based metal–organic frameworks has been demonstrated.
Post-synthetic molecular modifications based on Schiff base condensation reactions for designing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes
A new synthetic route for constructing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes ([RuII,II2]) was developed by utilizing Schiff base condensation reactions.
An aliphatic MOF with a molecular sieving effect for efficient C2H2/C2H4 separation
An alkyl MOF with a molecular sieving effect exhibits great C2H2 adsorption capability and C2H2/C2H4 separation performance.
Efficient water-based purification of metal–organic polyhedra by centrifugal ultrafiltration
An efficient water-based purification strategy for metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs) using commercially available centrifugal ultrafiltration membranes was developed.
Imidazolium cation transportation in a 1-D coordination polymer
We synthesized a coordination polymer, [EtMeIm][Cu(bpy)(Me2PO4)3], containing an anionic 1-D chain and an ethyl methyl imidazolium cation.
An indirect generation of 1D MII-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone coordination polymers, their structural rearrangements and generation of materials with a high affinity for H2, CO2 and CH4
1D coordination polymers undergo transformations upon desolvation to yield sorbent materials.
Guest responsivity of a two-dimensional coordination polymer incorporating a cholesterol-based co-ligand
A new two-dimensional Hofmann-type coordination polymer incorporating a hydrophobic cholesterol-based co-ligand showed a unique guest response.
Programmed crystallization via epitaxial growth and ligand replacement towards hybridizing porous coordination polymer crystals
Hybridized porous coordination polymers with sandwich or core–shell configuration are synthesized either through epitaxial growth or ligand replacement, respectively.
Ligand -based solid solution approach to stabilisation of sulphonic acid groups in porous coordination polymer Zr6O4(OH)4(BDC)6 (UiO-66)
By adopting a ligand-based solid solution approach, the sulphonic acid functional group can be successfully incorporated into a porous coordination polymer with UiO-66 structure type.
Investigation of post-grafted groups of a porous coordination polymer and its proton conduction behavior
We investigated the configuration of substituent groups that are post-synthetically bound to the pore surface in a porous coordination polymer.
Redox reaction in two-dimensional porous coordination polymers based on ferrocenedicarboxylates
The electrochemical properties of ferrocene-based porous coordination polymers were elucidated by the immobilization of the crystals on electrodes.
Photoswitching chiroptical response in camphorate-based chiral metal–organic frameworks
A pair of structurally diverse chiral metal–organic frameworks exhibit different chiroptical switching properties upon photoirradiation.
Facile and efficient synthesis of benzoxazoles and benzimidazoles using a Lewis acid MOF catalyst
A manganese-based MOF as a catalyst for the synthesis of derivatives of benzoxazole and benzimidazole under mild conditions providing excellent conversions, high TON and TOF values and high recyclability.
Construction of 2D zinc(II) MOFs with tricarboxylate and N-donor mixed ligands for multiresponsive luminescence sensors and CO2 adsorption
The structural features, luminescence sensing, and gas adsorption properties of the 2D MOFs, (Me2NH2)2[Zn2(btb)2(Im)2]·2DMF·3MeOH (1) and (Me2NH2)2[Zn2(btb)2(amp)]·H2O·2DMF·MeOH (2), were thoroughly investigated and described.
MIL-101(Cr)/aminoclay nanocomposites for conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates
We present the use of an amine functionalized 2D aminoclay (AC), in MOF chemistry to prepare MIL-101(Cr)/AC composites, which are exploited as catalysts for efficient conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates at ambient reaction conditions.
Room-temperature synthesis of a Zr–UiO-66 metal–organic framework via mechanochemical pretreatment for the rapid removal of EDTA-chelated copper from water
Synthesis of UiO-66(Zr) at room temperature offers new feasibility for both the scalable production and application of MOFs.
Paper
Synthesis and characterisation of antimicrobial metal–organic frameworks as multi-drug carriers
OnG6 MOFs are mesoporous MOFs derived from the pro-drug ligand 4,4′-azodisalicylic acid. They can encapsulate antibiotics such as isoniazid and ciprofloxacin. The ciprofloxacin-loaded OnG6 exhibit antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli.
Uranyl uptake into metal–organic frameworks: a detailed X-ray structural analysis
AWAXS and XAFS map uranyl binding in MOFs and elucidate uranyl uptake patterns.
Impact of exposed crystal facets on oxygen reduction reaction activity in zeolitic imidazole frameworks
The study of ORR performance of ZIF-67 in different facets obtained from the anisotropic crystal growth process. Three phases of ZIF-67 (bulk, cubic, and rhombic) were synthesized to study the impact of crystal facets on ORR activity.
Metal–organic framework based drug delivery systems as smart carriers for release of poorly soluble drugs hydrochlorothiazide and dapsone
Drug delivery systems based on porous metal–organic frameworks for sustained release of poorly soluble drugs hydrochlorothiazide and dapsone under simulated biological conditions.
Paper
Co-generation of palladium nanoparticles and phosphate supported on metal–organic frameworks as hydrogenation catalysts
In this study, we demonstrated the direct synthesis of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (PA) containing palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) supported on a metal–organic framework (MOF) for hydrogenation catalysis.
A comparative study of honeycomb-like 2D π-conjugated metal–organic framework chemiresistors: conductivity and channels
Honeycomb-like 2D π-conjugated conductive metal–organic framework gas sensors with channel sizes <2 nm and broad conductivity range are studied with low conductivity facilitating response, multi-porosity and short channel resulting in fast speed.
Light-induced nitric oxide release from physiologically stable porous coordination polymers
A physiologically stable PCP based on titanium ions produces nitric oxide from bis-N-nitroso functionality on ligands under light irradiation.
Inclusion and dielectric properties of a vinylidene fluoride oligomer in coordination nanochannels
Oligo(vinylidene fluoride) (OVDF) was introduced into coordination nanochannels, where the confined OVDF chains showed two dielectric relaxation processes.
Systematic mechanochemical preparation of a series of coordination pillared layer frameworks
A mechanochemical synthetic method is applied for construction of coordination pillared layer (CPL) structures with the same connectivity of their components and six different CPLs are obtained by this method.
Synthesis, structure and host-guest properties of (Et4N)2[SnIVCaII(chloranilate)4], a new type of robust microporous coordination polymer with a 2D square grid structure
The combination of Sn(IV) and Ca(II) with chloranilate leads to the generation of a robust, porous coordination network.
Dihydroxybenzoquinone and chloranilic acid derivatives of rare earth metals
A mixture of 3-D, 2-D and 1-D polymers are formed when chloranilate is used to bridge lanthanide metal centres. Many of the structural differences may be attributed to the size of the metal ion. In contrast the lanthanide derivatives of dihydroxybenzoquinone are isostructural reflecting a particularly favourable hydrogen-bonding arrangement.
X-Ray diffraction and magnetic studies on a series of isostructural divalent metal chloranilates with zigzag polymeric chain structures and on a dinuclear iron(III) chloranilate
Crystal structures and magnetic properties of the interpenetrating rutile-related compounds M(tcm)2 [M = octahedral, divalent metal; tcm– = tricyanomethanide, C(CN)3–] and the sheet structures of [M(tcm)2(EtOH)2] (M = Co or Ni)
Construction of a new open-framework solid from 1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylate and zinc(II) building blocks
Dinuclear palladium complexes incorporating amidato, carbamato and urea bridging groups
Conversion of hydrogen-bonded manganese(II) and zinc(II) squarate (C4O42–) molecules, chains and sheets to three-dimensional cage networks
Crystal structures of a tetranucleating macrocycle and its dimanganese(III) derivative, and magnetism of the latter
About this collection
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University, Japan), Richard Robson (University of Melbourne, Australia), and Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley, USA) for their development of a new form of molecular architecture - metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) - that contain large spaces through which gases and other chemicals can flow.
In celebration of this, we have brought together papers by the winners and recent work by their colleagues published in Dalton Transactions from the late 1990s to now. This collection showcases the development of the field of MOF research, from the early studies establishing principles of the controlled synthesis of framework materials, to recent work into the application of MOFs in drug delivery, gas separation, and carbon capture.