Stepwise Synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks: Replacement of Structural Organic Linkers

We demonstrate how a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation resulting from bridging-linker replacement is possible in extended 2D and 3D metal organic frameworks (MOFs) by introducing pillared paddle-wheel MOF structures into a solution containing dipyridyl linkers. No lateral movement of the layers was observed during this transformation, creating a templating effect from the parent structure to the daughter structure. A previously unattainable structure was obtained by a two-step synthetic method utilizing the bridging-linker replacement transformation method. Additionally, a bridging-linker insertion was observed when excess linker was used with the 2D MOF structure, inducing an overall 2D to 3D transformation.