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In this work, a new strategy is developed to encapsulate a metal-functionalized guest molecule into a metal-organic framework (MOF) via metal-cation-directed de novo assembly from the component fragments of the guest molecule. This strategy, as illustrated in proof-of-principle studies on the de novo assembly of metal(II) phthalocyanine molecules into bio-MOF-1, can circumvent some drawbacks of existing approaches for encapsulating guest molecules into MOFs, such as inaccessibility for larger guest molecules due to limitations of the MOF window size and disruption of the MOF framework structure by functionalized guest molecules. Overall, this work provides a general yet versatile approach for encapsulating a broader range of metal-functionalized guest molecules into MOFs for various applications.

Three novel 3D lanthanide organic frameworks [Ln 2 (H 2 O) 3 (HMImDC) 2 (OX)]·4H 2 O (Ln = Sm( 1 ), Eu( 2 ) and Gd( 3 ), H 3 MImDC = 2-methyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid, OX = oxalic acid) have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, Infrared spectra (IR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), powder X-ray diffractions (PXRD), and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. Compounds 1 – 3 are isostructural and exhibit novel 3D architectures with open channels viewed along the a axis, which constructed from [Ln(HMImDC)(OX)] layers and Ln 2 (HMImDC) 2 dimers. The framework of 1 – 3 can be rationalized as a (3, 5)-connected net with a unique (4.5.7) 2 (5.6.7)(5 2 .6 3 .7.8 3 .10) topology. The luminescence and magnetic properties are also investigated.

A new model for ion exchange materials has been proposed on the basis of ion exchange sites grafted to a porous organic polymer., Ion-exchange materials, currently dominated by resins, are widely used in a plethora of areas. However, the drawbacks of conventional resins necessitate the creation of a new model of ion exchange materials that feature controllable swelling, easily accessible ion exchange sites, high ion exchange capacity, fast ion exchange kinetics, and high chemical stability as illustrated herein in the context of functionalizing a porous organic polymer (POP) with ion exchange groups. The advantages of POP-based ion exchange materials in comparison with conventional resins and other types of ion exchange materials have been highlighted through an evaluation of their performances in scavenging precious metals at trace concentrations, removal of nuclear waste model ions, and size-selective ion capture. Our work thereby provides a new perspective to develop ion functionalized POPs as a versatile type of ion exchange materials for various applications.