Synthesis of an iron-based metal–organic framework with octahedral cages for the selective capture of sulfur hexafluoride

Abstract

The assembly of a metal–organic framework (MOF) containing bent phenanthroline linkers and iron trinuclear clusters remains rare. Herein, we report the synthesis and single crystal structure of a two-dimensional (2D) MOF, Fe-cage-MOF, assembled from 2,9-substituted phenanthroline based carboxylate linkers and pre-synthesized iron trinuclear clusters. The distinctive octahedral cages and ordered 1D channels endow the MOF with permanent porosity and potential for selective capture of the greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride.