The stepwise substitution in the hierarchical building of {Co11Cd6} cluster-based MOFs from {Co14} precursor

Abstract

The controllable construction of sophisticated aggregation is an exciting point in assembly chemistry. In this study, a heterometallic aggregation of {Co₁₁Cd₆} cluster-based MOFs can be hierarchically built from {Co₁₄} precursors with the {Co₄ ⊂ Co₄ ⊂ Co₆} skeleton directly. The time-dependent electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) technique was used to track the stepwise Cd²⁺ capture, and a multi-step hierarchical assembly route was proposed along with the gradual splitting of this {Co₁₁Cd₆} aggregation: {Co₁₄} → {Co₈} → {Co₈Cd₂} → {Co₈Cd₃} → {Co₈Cd₄} → {Co₈Cd₅} → {Co₈Cd₆} → {Co₁₁Cd₆}.