That composition and structure profoundly impact the functional behavior of crystalline solids has provided impetus for exponential growth in the field of crystal engineering over the past 20 years. This contribution addresses how crystal engineering has evolved from a focus purely upon design to the point where today it is possible to exert control over bulk properties in a rational manner. Metal-organic materials (MOMs) deservedly lie at the forefront of contemporary materials discovery because they offer hitherto unprecedented porosity and surface area (which facilitates rapid mass transfer) and their modular nature affords diversity and control of structure. Indeed, MOMs are suited to serve as platforms for a wide range of applications for which extra-large porosity is enabling. Strategies for the generation and control over the properties of metal-organic materials in the context of heterogeneous catalysis and selective gas adsorption will be presented.

Crystal engineering of multicomponent materials: Why there is still plenty of room at the very bottom

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.