Issue 31, 2018

Switchable gate-opening effect in metal–organic polyhedra assemblies through solution processing

Abstract

Gate-opening gas sorption is known for metal–organic frameworks, and is associated with structural flexibility and advantageous properties for sensing and gas uptake. Here, we show that gate-opening is also possible for metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs), and depends on the molecular organisation in the lattice. Thanks to the solubility of MOPs, several interchangeable solvatomorphs of a lantern-type MOP were synthesised via treatment with different solvents. One phase obtained through use of methanol induced a gate-opening effect in the lattice in response to carbon dioxide uptake. The sorption process was thoroughly investigated with in situ powder X-ray diffraction and simultaneous adsorption experiments. Meanwhile, solution processing of this flexible phase using THF led to a permanently porous phase without a gate-opening effect. Furthermore, we find that we can change the metallic composition of the MOP, and yet retain flexibility. By showing that gate-opening can be switched on and off depending on the solvent of crystallisation, these findings have implications for the solution-based processing of MOPs.

Graphical abstract: Switchable gate-opening effect in metal–organic polyhedra assemblies through solution processing

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
23 May 2018
Accepted
09 Jul 2018
First published
10 Jul 2018
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 6463-6469

Switchable gate-opening effect in metal–organic polyhedra assemblies through solution processing

G. A. Craig, P. Larpent, S. Kusaka, R. Matsuda, S. Kitagawa and S. Furukawa, Chem. Sci., 2018, 9, 6463 DOI: 10.1039/C8SC02263A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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