Molecular Pivot‐Hinge Installation to Evolve Topology in Rare‐Earth Metal–Organic Frameworks

Linker desymmetrization has been witnessed as a powerful design strategy for the discovery of highly connected metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with unprecedented topologies. Herein, we introduce molecular pivot‐hinge installation as a linker desymmetrization strategy to evolve the topology of highly connected rare‐earth (RE) MOFs, where a pivot group is placed in the center of a linker similar to a hinge. By tuning the composition of pivot groups and steric hindrances of the substituents on various linker rotamers, MOFs with various topologies can be obtained. The combination of L‐SO with symmetry and 12‐connected RE clusters leads to the formation of a fascinating (4,12)‐c new topology. Interestingly, when replacing L‐SO with a tetrahedra linker L‐O, the stacking behaviors of RE‐organic layers switch from an eclipsed mode to a staggered stacking mode, leading to the discovery of an intriguing topology. Additionally, the combination of the RE cluster and a linker [(L‐(CH))] with more bulky groups gives rise to a topology with a new 8‐c inorganic cluster. The diversity of these RE‐MOFs was further enhanced through post‐synthetic installation of linkers with various functional groups. Functionalization of each linker with acidic and basic units in the mesoporous RE‐based PCN‐905‐SO allows for efficient cascade catalytic transformation within the functionalized channels.

Duke Scholars

Author Liang Feng Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...