A reproducible synthesis of the elusive merlinoite (mer) topology of a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) has been achieved via kinetic templation of the framework around a simple molecular cavitand, MeMeCH2. The material, mer-MeMeCH2@Zn16(Im)32 or mer-MeMeCH2@ZIF-10, is confirmed to be porous and exhibits one of the highest experimental surface area (1893 m2g-1, BET) yet measured for any porous ZIF. In addition, not only does the X-ray single crystal structure of mer-MeMeCH2@Zn16(Im)32●xsolvent reveals the role of the cavitand as an 8-fold hydrogen bond acceptor in templating the requisite double-eight rings (d8r) of the mer framework, but also introduces a molecular recognition component inside the framework due to the inherent bowl-like cavity of the cavitand.

Reproducible synthesis and high porosity of mer-Zn(Im)2 (ZIF-10): Exploitation of an apparent double-eight ring template

254th National Meeting (2017)

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