Porosity tuning of carborane-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) via coordination chemistry and ligand design

Two new metal-organic framework (MOF) materials based on boron-rich cluster struts (p-carborane) are reported herein. Cu(I) catalyzed coupling chemistry was used to synthesize carboxylate-based ligands, which are substantially longer than the previously studied dicarboxylated p-carborane, leading to structures with greater porosity. Solvothermal syntheses involving these ligands and Zn salts were used to prepare two new Zn(II)-based MOFs with 2D and 3D open framework structures. Upon thermal activation, these MOFs retain the chemical identity of their frameworks, leading to highly porous materials. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.