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The development of CO2 electroreduction (CO2RR) catalysts based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is an emerging strategy to produce synthetic fuels. However, our understanding on catalytic mechanisms and structure-activity relationships for COFs is still limited but essential to the rational design of these catalysts. Herein, we report a newly devised CO2 reduction catalyst by loading single-atom centers, {fac-Mn(CO)(3)S}, (S = Br, CH3CN, H2O), within a bipyridylbased COF (COFbpyMn). COFbpyMn shows a low CO2RR onset potential (eta = 190 mV) and high current densities (>12 mA.cm(-2), at 550 mV overpotential) in water. TOFCO and TONCO values are as high as 1100 h-1 and 5800 (after 16 h), respectively, which are more than 10-fold higher than those obtained for the equivalent manganese-based molecular catalyst. Furthermore, we accessed key catalytic intermediates within a COF matrix by combining experimental and computational (DFT) techniques. The COF imposes mechanical constraints on the {fac-Mn(CO)(3)S} centers, offering a strategy to avoid forming the detrimental dimeric Mn-0-Mn-0, which is a resting state typically observed for the homologous molecular complex. The absence of dimeric species correlates to the catalytic enhancement. These findings can guide the rational development of isolated single-atom sites and the improvement of the catalytic performance of reticular materials.

By varying reaction parameters for the syntheses of the hydrogen-bonded metal-imidazolate frameworks (HIF) HIF-1 and HIF-2 (featuring 14 Zn and 14 Co atoms, respectively) to increase their yields and crystallinity, we found that HIF-1 is generated in two different frameworks, named as HIF-1a and HIF-1b. HIF-1b is isostructural to HIF-2. We determined the gas sorption and magnetic properties of HIF-2. In comparison to HIF-1a (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 471m(2) g(-1)), HIF-2 possesses overall very low gas sorption uptake capacities [BET(CO2) surface area=85m(2) g(-1)]. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement of HIF-2 showed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the cobalt(II) high-spin centres at lower temperature. Theoretical analysis by density functional theory confirmed this finding. The UV/Vis-reflection spectra of HIF-1 (mixture of HIF-1a and b), HIF-2 and HIF-3 (with 14 Cd atoms) were measured and showed a characteristic absorption band centered at 340nm, which was indicative for differences in the imidazolate framework.

Quantum sieving of hydrogen isotopes is experimentally studied in isostructural hexagonal metal-organic frameworks having 1-D channels, named IFP-1, -3, -4 and -7. Inside the channels, different molecules or atoms restrict the channel diameter periodically with apertures larger (4.2 angstrom for IFP-1, 3.1 angstrom for IFP-3) and smaller (2.1 angstrom for IFP-7, 1.7 angstrom for IFP-4) than the kinetic diameter of hydrogen isotopes. From a geometrical point of view, no gas should penetrate into IFP-7 and IFP-4, but due to the thermally induced flexibility, so-called gate-opening effect of the apertures, penetration becomes possible with increasing temperature. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) measurements with pure H-2 or D-2 have been applied to study isotope adsorption. Further TDS experiments after exposure to an equimolar H-2/D-2 mixture allow to determine directly the selectivity of isotope separation by quantum sieving. IFP-7 shows a very low selectivity not higher than S=2. The selectivity of the materials with the smallest pore aperture IFP-4 has a constant value of S approximate to 2 for different exposure times and pressures, which can be explained by the 1-D channel structure. Due to the relatively small cavities between the apertures of IFP-4 and IFP-7, molecules in the channels cannot pass each other, which leads to a single-file filling. Therefore, no time dependence is observed, since the quantum sieving effect occurs only at the outermost pore aperture, resulting in a low separation selectivity.

A family of three imidazolate-based Co-MOFs, IFP-5, -8 and -10 (Imidazolate Framework Potsdam), with different peripheral group –R (-Me, -OMe and –OEt, respectively) have been synthesized by a solvothermal method and tested toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Remarkably, IFP-8 presents low overpotentials (319 mV at 10 mA/cm2, and 490 mV at 500 mA/cm2) and extraordinary stability during 120 h, even when used as a catalyst toward overall water splitting reaction. An integrated ex-situ spectroscopic study, based on PXRD, EXAFS, and ATR, allows the identification of the active species and the factors that rule the catalytic activity. Indeed, it was found that the performances are highly affected by the nature of the -R group, because this small change strongly influences the conversion of the initial MOF to the active species. As a consequence, the remarkable activity of IFP-8 can be ascribed to the formation of Co(O)OH phase of few nanometers particle size (3-10 nm) during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.

Microwave heating (MW)-assisted synthesis has been widely applied as an alternative method for the chemical synthesis of organic and inorganic materials. In this work, we report MW-assisted synthesis of three isostructural 3D frameworks with a flexible linker arm of the chelating linker 2-substituted imidazolate- 4-amide-5-imidate, named IFP-7-MW (M = Zn, R = OMe), IFP-8-MW (M = Co; R = OMe) and IFP-10-MW (M = Co; R = OEt) (IFP = Imidazolate Framework Potsdam). These chelating ligands were generated in situ by partial hydrolysis of 2-substituted 4,5-dicyanoimidazoles under MW-and also conventional electrical heating (CE)-assisted conditions in DMF. The structure of these materials was determined by IR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and the identity of the materials synthesized under CE-conditions was established. Materials obtained from MW-heating show many fold enhancement of CO2 and H-2 uptake capacities, compared to the analogous CE-heating method based materials. To understand the inner pore-sizes of IFP structures and variations of gas sorptions, we performed positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), which shows that MW-assisted materials have smaller pore sizes than materials synthesized under CE-conditions. The "kinetically controlled" MW-synthesized material has an inherent ability to trap extra linkers, thereby reducing the pore sizes of CE-materials to ultra/micropores. These ultramicropores are responsible for high gas sorption.

The separation of ethane/ethene mixtures (as well as other paraffin/olefin mixtures) is one of the most important but challenging processes in the petrochemical industry. In this work, we report the synthesis of ZIF-318, isostructural to ZIF-8 but built from the mixed linkers of 2-methylimidazole (L1) and 2-trifluoromethylimidazole (L2) (ZIF-318 = [(Zn(L1)(L2)](n)). The synthesis has been optimized to proceed without ZnO-formation. Using only the L2 linker under solvothermal conditions afforded ZnO-embedded in the H-bonded and non-porous coordination polymer ZnO@[Zn-2(L2)(2)(HCOO)(OH)](n). The slight differences in the size of the substituents (-CH3 vs. -CF3) possibly in combination with different electronic inductive effects led to small but significant changes to the pore size and properties respectively, though the effective pore opening (aperture) size of ZIF-318 remained the same in comparison with ZIF-8. ZIF-318 is chemically (boiling water, methanol, benzene, and wide pH range at room temperature for 1 day), thermally (up to 310 degrees C) stable, and more hydrophobic than ZIF-8 which is proven by contact angle measurement. ZIF-318 can be activated for N-2, CO2, CH4, H-2, ethane, ethane, propane, and propene gases sorptions. Consequently, in breakthrough experiments, the ethane/ethene mixtures can be separated.

In situ imidazolate-4,5-diamide-2-olate (L2) linker generation under conventional electrical (CE) heating and microwave (MW)-assisted conditions leads to the formation of the porous three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded molecular building block (MBB) [Cd14(L2)12(O)(OH)2(H2O)4(DMF)4] based network, named as HIF-3. In the MBB a Cd6 octahedron is inscribed in a Cd8 cube. The evacuated materials show good N2, CO2, and H2 gas sorption, in comparison with other H-bonded networks. The desorption branches exhibit a broad hysteresis, suggesting that the materials show flexible behavior during gas uptake. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) shows inherent crystal defects of the materials. PALS indicates that the contribution of mesopores (10 and 14 % for HIF-3-CE and -MW, respectively) due to missing building blocks, makes the frameworks structurally flexible.

An extended member of the isoreticular family of metal-imidazolate framework structures, IFP-6 (IFP=imidazolate framework Potsdam), based on cadmium metal and an in situ functionalized 2-methylimidazolate-4-amide-5-imidate linker is reported. A porous 3D framework with 1D hexagonal channels with accessible pore windows of 0.52 nm has been synthesized by using an ionic liquid (IL) linker precursor. IFP-6 shows significant gas uptake capacity only for CO2 and CH4 at elevated pressure, whereas it does not adsorb N2 , H2 , and CH4 under atmospheric conditions. IFP-6 is assumed to deteriorate at the outside of the material during the activation process. This closing of the metal-organic framework (MOF) pores is proven by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), which revealed inherent crystal defects. PALS results support the conservation of the inner pores of IFP-6. IFP-6 has also been successfully loaded with luminescent trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln(III) =Tb, Eu, and Sm) in a bottom-up one-pot reaction through the in situ generation of the linker ligand and in situ incorporation of photoluminescent Ln ions into the constituting network. The results of photoluminescence investigations and powder XRD provide evidence that the Ln ions are not doped as connectivity centers into the frameworks, but are instead located within the pores of the MOFs. Under UV light irradiation, Tb@IFP-6 and Eu@IFP-6 (λexc =365 nm) exhibit observable emission changes to a greenish and reddish color, respectively, as a result of strong Ln 4 f emissions.

In this review article, we highlight the synthesis, structures and gas-sorption properties of a series of nine isostructural IFPs (IFP = Imidazolate Framework Potsdam) and two H-bonded networks. IFPs were synthesized by in situ partial hydrolysis of a 4,5-dicyanoimidazole under solvothermal conditions and hence an imidazolate-4-amide-5-imidate linker (C5H3N4O2) was generated, forming the metal -amide-imidate-imidazolateframeworks [M(C5H3N4O2)-R]. Varying R in the 2-substitued linker (R = Me, Cl, Br, Et, OMe and OEt) and metal centre (M2+ = zinc and cobalt) allowed the variation in channel diameter (4.2-03 angstrom) and a fine-tuning of the polarity and functionality of the channel walls of IFPs. Furthermore, we show that using ethyl or alkoxy substituted IFPs the flexible groups act as molecular gates for guest molecules. This allows highly selective CO2 sorption over Ny and CH4 gases. Moreover, during the synthesis of methoxy substituted IFPs (IFP-7 and -8), an imidazolate-4,5-diamide-2-olate linker (C5H4N4O3) formed in situ leads to the formation of a molecular building block (MBB) with a M-6 octahedron inscribed in a M-8 cube (M Zn2+ and Co2+). The MBBs connect by amide amide hydrogen bonds to a 3D robust supramolecular networks [Zn-14(C5H4N4O3)(12)(O) (OH)(2) (DMF)(4) denoted as 1 and 2, respectively, DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide], which can be activated for N-2, CO2, CH4, and H-2 gas-sorption. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cadmium(II) based 2D coordination polymer [Cd(L1)(2)(DMF)(2)] (1) (L1 = 4,5-dicyano-2-methylimidazolate, DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide) and 2D cobalt(II)-imidazolate framework [Co(L3)(4)] (2) (L3 = 4,5-diamide-2-ethoxyimidazolate) were synthesized under solvothermal reaction conditions. The materials were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction measurement (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 has hexacoordinate Cd-II ions and forms a zigzag chain-like coordination polymer structure, whereas compound 2 exhibits a 2D square grid type structure. The thermal stability analysis reveals that 2 showed an exceptional thermal stability up to 360 degrees C. Also, 2 maintained its fully crystalline integrity in boiling water as confirmed by PXRD. The solid state luminescent property of 1 was not observed at room temperature. Compound 2 showed an independent high spin central Co-II atom.

Co-doping of the MOF 3∞[Zn(2-methylimidazolate-4-amide-5-imidate)] (IFP-1 = Imidazolate Framework Potsdam-1) with luminescent Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions presents an approach to utilize the porosity of the MOF for the intercalation of luminescence centers and for tuning of the chromaticity to the emission of white light of the quality of a three color emitter. Organic based fluorescence processes of the MOF backbone as well as metal based luminescence of the dopants are combined to one homogenous single source emitter while retaining the MOF's porosity. The lanthanide ions Eu3+ and Tb3+ were doped in situ into IFP-1 upon formation of the MOF by intercalation into the micropores of the growing framework without a structure directing effect. Furthermore, the color point is temperature sensitive, so that a cold white light with a higher blue content is observed at 77 K and a warmer white light at room temperature (RT) due to the reduction of the organic emission at higher temperatures. The study further illustrates the dependence of the amount of luminescent ions on porosity and sorption properties of the MOF and proves the intercalation of luminescence centers into the pore system by low-temperature site selective photoluminescence spectroscopy, SEM and EDX. It also covers an investigation of the border of homogenous uptake within the MOF pores and the formation of secondary phases of lanthanide formates on the surface of the MOF. Crossing the border from a homogenous co-doping to a two-phase composite system can be beneficially used to adjust the character and warmth of the white light. This study also describes two-color emitters of the formula Ln@IFP-1a–d (Ln: Eu, Tb) by doping with just one lanthanide Eu3+ or Tb3+.

Four metal organic frameworks with similar topology but different chemical environment inside the pore structure, namely, IFP-1, IFP-3, IFP-5, and IFP-7, have been investigated with respect to the separation potential for olefin paraffin mixtures as well as the influence of the different linkers on adsorption properties using experiments and Monte Carlo simulations. All IFP structures show a higher adsorption of ethane compared to ethene with the exception of IFP-7 which shows no selectivity in breakthrough experiments. For propane/propane separation, all adsorbents show a higher adsorption for the olefin. The experimental results agree quite well with the simulated values except for the IFP-7, which is presumably due to the flexibility of the structure. Moreover, the experimental and simulated isotherms were confirmed with breakthrough experiments that render IFP-1, IFP-3, and IFP-5 as suitable for the purification of ethene from ethane.

Sixteen new ionic liquids (ILs) with tetraethylammonium, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, 3-methyl-1-octylimidazolium and tetrabutylphosphonium cations paired with 2-substituted 4,5-dicyanoimidazolate anions (substituent at C2 = methyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, N,N′-dimethyl amino and nitro) have been synthesized and characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of cation and anion type and structure of the resulting ILs, including several room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), are reflected in the crystallization, melting points and thermal decomposition of the ILs. ILs exhibited large liquid and crystallization ranges and formed glasses on cooling with glass transition temperatures in the range of −22 to −71 °C. We selected one of the newly designed ILs due to its bigger size, compared to the common conventional IL anion and high electron-withdrawing nitrile group leads to an overall stabilization anion that may stabilize the metal nanoparticles. Stable and better separated iron and silver nanoparticles are obtained by the decomposition of corresponding Fe2(CO)9 and AgPF6, respectively, under N2-atmosphere in newly designed nitrile functionalized 4,5-dicyanoimidazolate anion based IL. Very small and uniform size for Fe-nanoparticles of about 1.8 ± 0.6 nm were achieved without any additional stabilizers or capping molecules. Comparatively bigger size of Ag-nanoparticles was obtained through the reduction of AgPF6 by hydrogen gas. Additionally, the AgPF6 precursor was decomposed under microwave irradiation (MWI), fabricating nut-in-shell-like, that is, core-separated-from-shell Ag-nano-structures.

In this review article, we highlight the synthesis, structures and gas-sorption properties of a series of nine isostructural IFPs (IFP = Imidazolate Framework Potsdam) and two H-bonded networks. IFPs were synthesized by in situ partial hydrolysis of a 4,5-dicyanoimidazole under solvothermal conditions and hence an imidazolate-4-amide-5-imidate linker (C5H3N4O2) was generated, forming the metal–amide-imidate-imidazolateframeworks [M(C5H3N4O2)-R]. Varying R in the 2-substitued linker (R = Me, Cl, Br, Et, OMe and OEt) and metal centre (M2+ = zinc and cobalt) allowed the variation in channel diameter (4.2–0.3 A) and a fine-tuning of the polarity and functionality of the channel walls of IFPs. Furthermore, we show that using ethyl or alkoxy substituted IFPs the flexible groups act as molecular gates for guest molecules. This allows highly selective CO2 sorption over N2 and CH4 gases. Moreover, during the synthesis of methoxy substituted IFPs (IFP-7 and -8), an imidazolate-4,5-diamide-2-olate linker (C5H4N4O3) formed in situ leads to the formation of a molecular building block (MBB) with a M6 octahedron inscribed in a M8 cube (M = Zn2+ and Co2+). The MBBs connect by amide–amide hydrogen bonds to a 3D robust supramolecular networks [Zn14(C5H4N4O3)12(O) (OH)2(H2O)4 and Co14(C5H4N4O3)12(O) (OH)2(DMF)4 denoted as 1 and 2, respectively, DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide], which can be activated for N2, CO2, CH4, and H2 gas-sorption.

The reaction of 4,5-dicyano-2-methoxyimidazole (L1) with Co(NO3)2·6H2O under solvothermal conditions in DMF, a MOF, IFP-8 and a hydrogen-bonded network consisting of tetradecanuclear Co(ii)14-metal–organic cube (1) are achieved.

A Co(II)-imidazolate-4-amide-5-imidate based MOF, IFP-5, is synthesized by using an imidazolate anion-based novel ionic liquid as a linker precursor under solvothermal conditions. IFP-5 shows significant amounts of gas (N-2, CO2, CH4 and H-2) uptake capacities. IFP-5 exhibits an independent high spin Co(II) centre and antiferromagnetic coupling.

In situ imidazolate-4,5-diamide-2-olate linker generation leads to the formation of a [Zn-14(L2)(12)(O)-(OH)(2)(H2O)(4)] molecular building block (MBB) with a Zn-6 octahedron inscribed in a Zn-8 cube. The MBBs connect by amide-amide hydrogen bonds to a 3D robust supramolecular network which can be activated for N-2, CO2, CH4, and H-2 gas sorption.

Thirty six novel ionic liquids (ILs) with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and 3-methyl-1-octylimidazolium cations paired with 2-substitited 4,5-dicyanoimidazolate anions (substituent at C2=chloro, bromo, methoxy, vinyl, amino, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl and phenyl) have been synthesized and characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The effects of cation and anion type and structure on the thermal properties of the resulting ionic liquids, including several room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are examined and discussed. ILs exhibited large liquid and crystallization ranges and formed glasses on cooling with glass transition temperatures in the range of -22 to -68 degrees C. The effects of alkyl substituents of the imidazolate anion reflected the crystallization, melting points and thermal decomposition of the ILs. The Coulombic packing force, van der Waals forces and size of the anions can be considered for altering the thermal transitions. Three crystal structures of the ILs were determined and the effects of changes to the cations and anions on the packing of the structure were investigated.

A new imidazolate-4-amide-5-imidate based MOF, IFP-7, is generated, having flexible methoxy groups, which act as molecular gates for guest molecules. This allows highly selective CO2 sorption over N-2 and CH4 gases.

A rare example of in situ linker generation with the formation of soft porous Zn- and Co-MOFs (IFP-9 and -10, respectively) is reported. The flexible ethoxy groups of IFP-9 and -10 protrude into the 1D hexagonal channels. The gas-sorption behavior of both materials for H-2, CO2 and CH4 showed wide hysteretic isotherms, typical for MOFs having a flexible substituent which can give rise to a gate effect.

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich. This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively. In this work the adsorption of CO2 and CH4 on a series of isoreticular microporous metal–organic frameworks based on 2-substituted imidazolate-4-amide-5-imidates, IFP-1–IFP-6 (IFP = Imidazolate Framework Potsdam), is studied firstly by pure gas adsorption at 273 K. All experimental isotherms can be nicely described by using the Tòth isotherm model and show the preferred adsorption of CO2 over CH4. At low pressures the Tòth isotherm equation exhibits a Henry region, wherefore Henry's law constants for CO2 and CH4 uptake could be determined and ideal selectivity αCO2/CH4 has been calculated. Secondly, selectivities were calculated from mixture data by using nearly equimolar binary mixtures of both gases by a volumetric–chromatographic method to examine the IFPs. Results showed the reliability of the selectivity calculation. Values of αCO2/CH4 around 7.5 for IFP-5 indicate that this material shows much better selectivities than IFP-1, IFP-2, IFP-3, IFP-4 and IFP-6 with slightly lower selectivity αCO2/CH4 = 4–6. The preferred adsorption of CO2 over CH4 especially of IFP-5 and IFP-4 makes these materials suitable for gas separation application.

Two imidazolate-based Co-MOFs, IFP-5 and IFP-8 (imidazolate framework Potsdam), with a different peripheral group -R (-Me and -OMe, respectively) have been synthesized by a solvothermal method and tested toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Remarkably, IFP-8 presents much lower overpotentials (319 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and 490 mV at 500 mA/cm2) than IFP-5 toward OER, as confirmed by online gas chromatography measurements (Faradaic yield of O2 > 99%). Moreover, the system is extraordinarily stable during 120 h, even when used as a catalyst toward the overall water splitting reaction without any sign of fatigue. An integrated ex situ spectroscopic study, based on powder X-ray diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and attenuated total reflection, allows the identification of the active species and the factors that determine the catalytic activity. Indeed, it was found that the performances are highly affected by the nature of the -R group, because this small change strongly influences the conversion of the initial metal organic framework to the active species. As a consequence, the remarkable activity of IFP-8 can be ascribed to the formation of Co(O)OH phase with a particle size of a few nanometers (3-10 nm) during the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution. Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society., We thank the ICIQ Foundation, the European Research Foundation for project H2020-ERC-2015-CoG (J.L.-F.), H2020-FETPROACT-01-2016 A-LEAF (J.L.-F./A.B.), MINECO (CTQ2016-80038-R; J.L-F. and CTQ2017-86936-P; A.S.) and AGAUR 2017-SGR-1647 (J.L.-F.). S.S.M. thanks COFUND for postdoctoral scholarship. We would like to thank the support of the SAMBA beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron (France) for their support and time for data acquisition. We thank to Prof. H.-J Holdt (University of Potsdam) for ligand precursor supplying.