High temperature expulsion of thermolabile groups for pore-space expansion in metal-organic frameworks

Authors

Macguire Bryant, University of WollongongFollow
Timothy Ablott, University of WollongongFollow
Shane Telfer, Massey University
Lujia Liu, Northwestern University
Christopher Richardson, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

132300

Publication Details

Bryant, M. R., Ablott, T. A., Telfer, S. G., Liu, L. & Richardson, C. (2019). High temperature expulsion of thermolabile groups for pore-space expansion in metal-organic frameworks. CrystEngComm, 21 (1), 60-64.

Abstract

Direct radiative heating at 200 °C quantitatively converts sulfoxide-tags to desirable vinyl groups on a porous zinc(ii) metal-organic framework analogue of IRMOF-9. The transformation results in an expansion of the pore volume of the framework and a higher surface area. The framework topology and crystallinity are preserved during thermolysis, as established by powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and computational studies. Importantly, the volatile by-product is chemically benign and escapes without damaging the framework. In this way, the post-synthetic thermolysis yields a material with identical properties to that prepared by direct synthesis. This work expands the repertoire of post-synthetic thermochemistry for MOFs and demonstrates that high-temperature processes can be compatible with the retention of important framework properties.