Recently, we demonstrated that postsynthetic ligand exchange reactions can be used to functionalize and build hierarchical complexity into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), creating gradient MOFs or MOFs with multiple functional groups. Here we use a combination of ligand exchange and covalent reactions to obtain more complex MOF structures. Specifically, by taking advantage of the rigidity and steric effect of moieties introduced via covalent postsynthetic modification (CPSM), we demonstrate that we can remove certain ligands from the original MOF structure, yielding defects and expanded cavities. Moreover, we show that we can use gradient MOFs having regions of differential reactivity for the aforementioned CPSM reaction. By (partially) removing ligands at the core, we generate a new gradient MOF bearing an ascending periphery to core pore size gradient.<br/>

Ligand removal and porosity control in gradient metal-organic frameworks

255th National Meeting (2018)

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