Porous metal–organic frameworks based on 3,6-bis(4-benzoic acid)-N-(4-benzoic acid)carbazole for HPLC separation of small organic molecules

Abstract

Porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with an extensive range of pore sizes have great potential for efficient separation of small organic molecules. Herein, we report a new stable porous metal–organic framework {Cu₃L₂(4,4′-BPD)[NH(CH₃)₂]·7DMA·12H₂O}_n (YCZ-1), which was fabricated from a Cu-paddlewheel metal node and a new linker, namely 3,6-bis(4-benzoic acid)-N-(4-benzoic acid) carbazole (H₃L). YCZ-1 possesses a doubly interpenetrated 3,5,6-connected three-dimensional (3D) framework with a Schläfli symbol of {5¹²·8³}·{5²·8}₄·{5⁶·8⁴}₂, which is a new topology. The crystalline size of YCZ-1 could be controlled by adding different doses of dimethylamine, which would also be generated from DMA dissociated during the solvothermal reaction. Meanwhile, with excellent structural stability and outstanding surface area, the crystalline material YCZ-1 could be utilized as a stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separations during the separation of small organic molecules.