Low-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks and their Diverse Functional Roles in Catalysis

In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained tremendous attention as an emerging class of functional materials for the field of heterogeneous catalysis. In particular, low-dimensionality of these material-platforms can be singled out as an important structural parameter that endows unique or new functionalities and thus enables improved catalytic performance. Herein, firstly, this Review summarizes important development of the synthetic preparation strategies of low-dimensional MOFs and their related composites. Next, effects of dimensionality on different catalytic roles of MOF platforms are highlighted and discussed. For instance, MOFs have been employed directly as heterogeneous catalysts, in which catalytic reactions take place within their pristine or deliberately created pores. Exploiting on the ordered pore structures, MOFs have also been integrated into reactor-like catalysts to act as a membrane for selective catalysis. MOFs have also demonstrated to be unique support materials for other catalyst components, of which enhancement in stability and catalytic performance have been addressed. Lastly, MOFs have also been extensively utilized as a sacrificial template to derive highly porous and catalytic active nanomaterials. On the basis of our personal perspectives, some future research directions are suggested in this review in order to further advance this class of emerging catalysts.