A new boron cluster anion pillared metal organic framework with ligand inclusion and its selective acetylene capture properties

The separation of acetylene (C2H2) from carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene (C2H4) is important in industry but challenging due to their similar physical properties. Herein, a novel microporous boron cluster pillared metal-organic framework BSF-10 was synthesized with ligand inclusion for efficient C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/C2H4 adsorption separation. The free dipyridyl ligands in the large pore reduce the porosity of BSF-10 but stabilize the framework. The available narrow pores without inclusion of ligands are suited for the accommodation of C2H2 by cooperative dihydrogen bonding. High C2H2 capacity and high C2H2 selectivity over CO2 and C2H4 are achieved. The practical separation ability was confirmed by the breakthroughs using C2H2/CO2 and C2H2/C2H4 gas mixtures with good recyclability. The dynamic separation factor of 2.8 for the equimolar C2H2/CO2 mixture is comparable to those of many benchmark materials.

Automated summary

A novel microporous boron cluster pillared metal-organic framework BSF-10 was synthesized and showed high selectivity and capacity for the separation of acetylene from carbon dioxide and ethylene.