Open Access

A series of isostructural 3D coordination polymers (3)∞[M(tdc)(bpy)] (M(2+) = Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Fe(2+); tdc(2-) = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate; bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and gas adsorption measurements. The materials show high thermal stability up to approximately 400 °C and a solvent induced phase transition. Single crystal X-ray structure determination was successfully performed for all compounds after the phase transition. In the zinc-based coordination polymer, various amounts of a second type of metal ions such as Co(2+) or Fe(2+) could be incorporated. Furthermore, the catalytic behavior of the homo- and heteronuclear 3D coordination polymers in an oxidation model reaction was investigated.

Two closely related series of paddle-wheel-based triazolyl isophthalate MOFs are presented. Thermal and CO2 adsorption studies reveal network flexibility induced by alkyl substituents of the linker. By choice of the substituent, the pore volumes and pore diameters can be adjusted. Fine-tuning of the gate opening pressure and the hysteresis shape is possible by modulating the substitution pattern and by choice of the metal ion.

Uptakes of 9.2 mmol g−1 (40.5 wt %) for CO2 at 273 K/0.1 MPa and 15.23 mmol g−1 (3.07 wt %) for H2 at 77 K/0.1 MPa are among the highest reported for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and are found for a novel, highly microporous copper‐based MOF (see picture; Cu turquoise, O red, N blue). Thermal analyses show a stability of the flexible framework up to 250 °C. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as highly porous materials have gained increasing interest because of their distinct adsorption properties.1–3 They exhibit a high potential for applications in gas separation and storage,4 as sensors5 as well as in heterogeneous catalysis.6 In the last few years, the H2 storage capacity of MOFs has been considerably increased. Mesoporous MOFs show high adsorption capacities for CH4, CO2, and H2 at high pressures.2, 3, 7–10 To increase the uptake of H2 and CO2 by physisorption at ambient pressure, adsorbents with small micropores as well as high specific surface areas and micropore volumes are required.11, 12 Such microporous materials seem to be more appropriate for gas‐mixture separation by physisorption than mesoporous materials. For gas separation in MOFs the interactions between the fluid adsorptive and “open metal sites” (coordinatively unsaturated binding sites) or the ligands are regarded as important.13 Industrial processes, such as natural‐gas purification or biogas upgrading, can be improved with those materials during a vapor‐pressure swing adsorption cycle (VPSA cycle) or a temperature swing adsorption cycle (TSA cycle).14 The microporous MOF series CPO‐27‐M (M=Mg, Co, Ni, Zn), for example, shows very high CO2 uptakes at low pressures (<0.1 MPa).15, 16 Concerning H2 adsorption, the microporous MOF PCN‐12 offers with 3.05 wt % the highest uptake at ambient pressure and 77 K reported to date.17 Herein, we present a novel microporous copper‐based MOF equation image[Cu(Me‐4py‐trz‐ia)] (1; Me‐4py‐trz‐ia2−=5‐(3‐methyl‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)isophthalate) with extraordinarily high CO2 and H2 uptakes at ambient pressure, the H2 uptake being similar to that in PCN‐12. The ligand Me‐4py‐trz‐ia2−, which can be obtained from cheap starting materials by a three‐step synthesis in good yield, combines carboxylate, triazole, and pyridine functions and is adopted from a recently presented series of linkers,18 for which up to now only a few coordination polymers are known.