CD-MOF-1 for CO2 Uptake: Remote and Hybrid Green Chemistry Synthesis of a Framework Material with Environmentally Conscious Applications

The chemistry of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has the potential to introduce high school and undergraduate students to the fundamental chemical principles of structure and bonding, enhance the development of skills in synthesis and crystal growth, and promote hands-on experience with gas capture and host-guest chemistry of emerging materials with desirable environmental applications. However, most available experiments in the pedagogical literature involving MOFs require laboratory equipment and the use of hazardous chemicals to facilitate crystal growth and the study of structure-property relationships. To remedy this gap in the literature, this paper describes an adapted experimental approach designed specifically for a household environment or low-resource laboratory to grow, activate, and use cyclodextrin-based MOFs for CO2 uptake. This experiment implements a simple procedure that can be carried out safely without access to specialized equipment or laboratory infrastructure. Despite the simplicity of the experimental design, this experiment presents an intellectually engaging opportunity for high school and undergraduate students to explore crystal growth and nucleation, coordination chemistry, and host-guest chemistry as well as green chemistry concepts such as the choice of benign reagents and solvents, and applications of porous materials for gas uptake.

Automated summary

The chemistry of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a valuable tool for teaching high school and undergraduate students fundamental chemical principles, synthesis and crystal growth skills, and the applications of emerging materials. However, most literature experiments involving MOFs require specialized equipment and hazardous chemicals. This paper presents a adapted experimental approach suitable for a household or low-resource laboratory, allowing students to safely grow and use cyclodextrin-based MOFs for CO2 uptake.