Molecular engineering in a family of pillared-layered metal–organic frameworks for tuning gas adsorption behavior

Abstract

In this work, inspired by a water-assisted three-dimensional supramolecular structure 1, we use a mixed-ligand strategy to form a 3D pillared-layered matrix by the introduction of linear ligands to compete against the water molecules. The resulting analogue microporous MOFs of 2-H, 2-F and 2-N, decorated with different functional groups, similarly show the CO₂ uptake. Thanks to the negligible N₂ adsorption capacity, enhanced selective adsorption towards CO₂ is achieved in compound 2-N. That is, we present here an alternative plan for the high CO₂ selective adsorption performance. In addition, the structure stability and moderate affinity for CO₂ of these microporous MOFs endow them with excellent reusability.