Issue 19, 2022

Recent advances in the applications of thorium-based metal–organic frameworks and molecular clusters

Abstract

This perspective highlights the recent advances in the structural and practical aspects of thorium-based metal–organic frameworks (Th-MOFs) and molecular clusters. Thorium, as an underexplored actinide, features surprisingly rich coordination geometries and accessibility of the 5f orbital. These features lead to a myriad of topologies and electronic structures, many of which are undocumented for other tetravalent metal-containing MOFs or clusters. Moreover, Th-MOFs inherit the modularity, structural tunability, porosity, and versatile functionality of the state-of-the-art MOFs. Recognizing the radioactive nature of these thorium-bearing materials that may limit their practical uses, Th-MOFs and Th-clusters still have great potential for various applications, including radionuclide sequestration, hydrocarbon storage/separation, radiation detection, photoswitch, CO2 conversion, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. The objective of this updated perspective is to propose pathways for the renaissance of interest in thorium-based materials.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in the applications of thorium-based metal–organic frameworks and molecular clusters

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
27 1 2022
Accepted
02 4 2022
First published
07 4 2022

Dalton Trans., 2022,51, 7376-7389

Recent advances in the applications of thorium-based metal–organic frameworks and molecular clusters

Z. Li, X. Guo, J. Qiu, H. Lu, J. Wang and J. Lin, Dalton Trans., 2022, 51, 7376 DOI: 10.1039/D2DT00265E

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