Anisotropic flexibility and rigidification in a TPE-based Zr-MOFs with scu topology.

Sha-Sha Meng, Ming Xu, Hanxi Guan, Cailing Chen, Peiyu Cai, Bo Dong, Wen-Shu Tan, Yu-Hao Gu, Wen-Qi Tang, Lan-Gui Xie, Shuai Yuan, Yu Han, Xueqian Kong, Zhi-Yuan Gu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based ligands are appealing for constructing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with new functions and responsiveness. Here, we report a non-interpenetrated TPE-based scu Zr-MOF with anisotropic flexibility, that is, Zr-TCPE (H4TCPE = 1,1,2,2-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)ethylene), remaining two anisotropic pockets. The framework flexibility is further anisotropically rigidified by installing linkers individually at specific pockets. By individually installing dicarboxylic acid L1 or L2 at pocket A or B, the framework flexibility along the b-axis or c-axis is rigidified, and the intermolecular or intramolecular motions of organic ligands are restricted, respectively. Synergistically, with dual linker installation, the flexibility is completely rigidified with the restriction of ligand motion, resulting in MOFs with enhanced stability and improved separation ability. Furthermore, in situ observation of the flipping of the phenyl ring and its rigidification process is made by 2H solid-state NMR. The anisotropic rigidification of flexibility in scu Zr-MOFs guides the directional control of ligand motion for designing stimuli-responsive emitting or efficient separation materials.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalNature Communications
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Chemistry
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Anisotropic flexibility and rigidification in a TPE-based Zr-MOFs with scu topology.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this